This resource will help students to understand the painful experience many families endured in London during the Second World War, 1939 -1945. It also deals with the heartfelt decisions individuals made in leaving loved ones behind to find a new life in a foreign country. It is the oral history of Belle Johansson, a Camden elder who shared her experience of living during the blitz and losing six family members. She talked about the stigma of TB in her family after the war and hoped that “people will walk by each other, and they will not notice their differences. " Bell tells us about her great nice who wanted to be Doctor of Science and how the family struggled to support her financially with her studies. Her great nice later took the opportunity to fulfill her dreams by leaving her close-knit family behind to go to Australia to study. Bell concludes, “it was a great wrench when she went, for her and us.” The final narrative shows the family was able to meet up again in Australia, bringing joy to all. This two-page document and supporting archive images is perfect for older students to get an overview of history and shared life experiences and can help in writing narratives for a book, magazine, stage plays, and film. The resource is useful for parents and teachers for home teaching, helping to participate in interactive discussions with students about family heritage, identity, and belonging. Parents and teachers can also create their unique comprehension worksheets for students, based on issues raised in the narrative. Belle Johansson’s oral history was part of the Heritage lottery funded project, The Ones We Left Behind, produced by Lorna Holder, 2006.

This resource is a case study based on the Building Bridges resource pack, available on TES, showing the experiences of the white community in seeing large groups of Caribbean people arriving in Britain after the Second World War - 1948 to 1962 - known as "The Windrush. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/building-bridges-windrush-experiences-11723774 The case study demonstrates the interactions between the older and younger generation, regarding the subject matter and enabled both to learn from each other. Both groups have taken lead roles in facilitating workshops, oral history interviews, and sharing experiences. The elders’ involvement, through their stories and oral history, provides a great deal of cultural learning for future generations. They gain a sense of satisfaction and purpose in passing on their experiences and knowledge. Young people’s involvement provides a distinctive perspective on the activities. Suitable for different key stages and curriculum requirements.

Building Bridges E-Book: Bridging Past Narratives to Present Understanding Unlock the rich tapestry of historical narratives with the Building Bridges E-Book, a captivating resource tailored for students aged 11-16 in the subjects of Citizenship, History, PSHE, and English. This 8-page black and white PDF offers a profound exploration of the experiences of the white community witnessing the arrival of Caribbean people in Britain post-World War II, spanning from 1948 to 1962. Key Features: Holistic Learning Approach: Subjects Covered: Citizenship, History, PSHE, and English. Age Group: Designed for 11-16-year-olds. Heritage Lottery Funded Project: Building Bridges Workshops: Originating from three oral history workshops held in Camden in July 2008, the resource is part of the Heritage Lottery-funded educational project Building Bridges. The workshops facilitated interviews and discussions between secondary school students and elders from the host community, covering diverse topics such as work, schooling, housing, cultural & social changes, and impact on family life. Heartfelt Interviews and Discussions: Primary Sources: The E-Book is based on social history research and includes poignant interviews and discussions with English elders and students from the London borough of Camden. Supporting Photographic Archives: Visual Richness: Filled with never-before-seen photographic archives, the resource provides a visual journey through the past, enhancing students’ understanding of the historical context. Model General Questions: Engaging Dialogue: The E-Book includes model general questions, offering insights into the emotional impact of witnessing Caribbean people arriving after the war. It features memorable quotes, such as Elder Bob’s recollection of encountering black children for the first time. Messages to Young Black Children: Words of Wisdom: The resource concludes with uplifting messages, like Elder Imogen’s advice to young black children, emphasizing the importance of being proud of one’s background. Versatile Visuals: Inspiring Creativity: Visual images within the pack allow pupils to share ideas and explore concepts, whether telling a story or comparing 1940s fashion to present trends. Rooted in Oral Storytelling Tradition: Bridge to the Future: The E-Book is firmly rooted in the tradition of oral storytelling, bringing forth unheard stories of the past to build a bridge toward a better future for young people. Further supporting resources Building Bridges Documentary: available at https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/building-bridges-documentary-with-supporting-e-resources-12548962Complementing the E-Book, a half-hour documentary, produced and directed by Lorna Holder, premiered at the British Museum and aired on Teacher’s TV in 2008. The project was part of a Heritage Lottery-funded initiative by Full Spectrum Productions.