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Oral History Project Lead, Sharing Stories project, Trent Park House of Secrets

  •  London
  •  Â£10k-15k
  •  Part time
  •  Closes March 2, 2026
  •  Chezzy Brownen
  •  chezzy.brownen@trentparkhouse.org.uk
  • #Museums
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Description

Job Summary

Trent Park House is seeking to appoint a freelance Oral History Project Lead who will train and support our volunteers in collecting oral histories, ideally both in audio and video format, from Middlesex College alumni and local residents with family memories of the House.

Job Description

Trent Park House, in Enfield, is recognised by Historic England as being of significance on a par with Bletchley Park. One of London's grandest houses, it was home to the 'Secret Listeners' during WW2- a story that has remained hidden in the house for over 70 years.

This project will recruit and train local Volunteer Historians, nurturing heritage skills and building a volunteer network for future activity; and create new digital content, increasing access to at-risk heritage and growing online audiences through increased social media activity. The project will also embed the Secret Listener story into Enfield primary schools aiming for it to be studied annually.

Through adopting a co-created approach to the collection of oral histories and other materials for the Sharing Stories project, the team will work closely with heritage partners and local communities, particularly those with migrant heritage, to build local relationships and exchange skills.

The project will widen audience reach and provide deeper insights and opportunities for learning about this largely hidden history. Crucially, through the collection of oral histories and other materials for inclusion online, the resource will form part of a new and important archive documenting the lives and work of these extraordinary men and women.

Working closely with the Volunteer Manager and other team members, you will play a crucial role in leading the oral history project, collecting oral histories, ideally both in audio and video format, from those with a personal connection to the history of Trent Park House as well as helping to forge new and sustained relationships with local communities through participation projects.

Time period: April 2026 to January/February 2027 (over c.10 months)

Budget: £14,000 (£350/day x 40 days) plus additional £1,400 to run the training sessions

Job Requirements

Essential

  • At least 3 years experience of designing and delivering oral history programmes in a cultural setting.
  • Experience and education in public history and oral history projects.
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to take initiative and be a self-starter.
  • Keen interest in and enthusiasm for the history of Trent Park House.
  • Outstanding relationship-building skills.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of best practice in gathering oral histories, including diversity and inclusion agendas.
  • Understanding of audience-focused approaches and tailoring activity to audience need.
  • Understanding of unique opportunities for audience learning and engagement in heritage through digital resources.
  • Excellent written, verbal communication and public speaking skills.
  • Excellent organisational skills.
  • Experience of working with underrepresented communities in a heritage context.

Non-essential, including:

  • Ability to edit and annotate audio data in the required format

Job Responsibilities

Includes:

  • Provide coordination, direction & guidance for Oral History interviews, supported by the Volunteer Manager
  • Contact any known family members of former Secret Listeners to secure oral history interviews
  • Provide training to the volunteer participants in interview techniques, use of equipment, transcribing interviews and editing, using ideally both audio and video format.
  • Helping to find and identify people with living memories or experiences of Trent Park
  • Research and carry out a number of life story and shorter interviews on location using own initiative and creative judgement in developing strands for further investigation
  • Conduct interviews alongside volunteer participants
  • Support the training of up to 30 community participants in oral history interview skills
  • Ensure high quality capture of oral history interviews, catalogued and ready for use and archiving
  • Have the ability to edit and annotate audio data in the required format, working with project team members

How to Apply

Please send a CV and covering letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) to Chezzy Brownen at [email protected] outlining your suitability for the role and indicative cost breakdown of your time to fulfil the role.

Please contact Chezzy Brownen at [email protected] if you have any questions about the role or the application process.

Application Timeline
Closing date for applications is 9am Monday 2nd March.
Short-listed candidates will be interviewed remotely, by MS Teams or Zoom. The provisional date for interviews is the 20th March 2026.

The Sharing Stories project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to share the stories of Trent Park House with more people.

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