A national digital oral history archive — capturing the lived experiences of 100,000 people from every community, background, and corner of the United Kingdom.
Voices of the UK is a large-scale, wellbeing-centred digital oral history infrastructure enabling self-directed storytelling, anonymisation, multi-layered access, and archival preservation across the UK.
The UK lacks an accessible national repository for lived experience, particularly from under-represented and marginalised communities. This project addresses cultural participation gaps while building a lasting heritage asset. One that captures how social change, technological development, and cultural shifts have shaped daily life across generations.
At its minimum target of 100,000 contributors, total project cost equates to roughly £12 per voice preserved. With an average of just three contributions per person, that falls to approximately £4 per story, exceptional long-term heritage value.
We are working with the National Lottery Heritage Fund as one of a number of funding partners for this project, alongside complementary grants, partnerships, and earned income streams.
Every feature is designed with the contributor at the centre. Giving full control over what is shared, how, and with whom.
Audio recording, video, written text, photographs, and personal documents. Contribute remotely or at a supported in-person workshop.
Public, family-only, or private — every submission has full visibility settings controlled entirely by the storyteller, changeable at any time.
Video and audio anonymisation tools allow stories to be shared publicly while protecting the contributor's identity.
Automated transcription and intelligent tagging makes contributions searchable and discoverable, while safeguarding keyword detection flags sensitive content.
Multi-language translation capability with community reporting tools, and British Sign Language interpretation support throughout.
Connect with family members to create a shared story network, linking generations and building organic genealogical archives.
Verified press only. Journalists may contact storytellers only where the storyteller has explicitly opted in. Full consent at every stage.
Verified universities, schools, and heritage organisations access curated collections via a controlled API with appropriate institutional credentials.
Built-in links to support services (including Samaritans and others) because storytelling can surface difficult emotions and we take our duty of care seriously.
| Feature | Included |
|---|---|
| Secure storytelling submission | ✓ |
| Opt-in public / private / family-only visibility settings | ✓ |
| Optional anonymisation (video & audio) | ✓ |
| On-platform audio and video recording | ✓ |
| Upload of audio, video, images, and documents | ✓ |
| Automated transcription and translation | ✓ |
| AI-powered content tagging and categorisation | ✓ |
| Safeguarding keyword detection | ✓ |
| Guided story prompts | ✓ |
| Family tree–style connection network | ✓ |
| Wellbeing and support resource links | ✓ |
| Public archive browsing (no login required) | ✓ |
| Researcher and academic interface | ✓ |
| Journalist interface (verification required) | ✓ |
| Journalist–storyteller contact (only if opted in) | ✓ |
| BSL interpretation support | ✓ |
| Controlled API for accredited institutions | ✓ |
| Mobile app | ✓ |
| GDPR compliance and secure server architecture | ✓ |
| Offline capture tools (Phase 2) | ✓ |
Platform scoping with Nueta Ventures. Ethics Advisory Board established. Safeguarding frameworks developed. Community relationship-building begins. NLHF application submitted.
Platform design, build, and QA. Technology focus groups with disability representatives, psychologists, and community partners. Volunteer training programme. Marketing strategy finalised.
Platform goes live. Community focus groups (Stage 2). Regional outreach and workshop programme begins. PR campaign launches. Target: 30,000 storytellers by end of Year 2.
50,000 additional storytellers in Year 3. First thematic publications released. Academic and research partnerships active. Public exhibitions in museums and libraries. Target: 80,000+ storytellers.
100,000 stories milestone. Platform self-sustaining via licensing, publications, and institutional subscriptions. Permanent national heritage archive. Story festivals explored for Year 6.
In-person workshops ensure participation from those who may not have access to technology or confidence with digital platforms. Delivered through councils, libraries, community centres, and partner organisations.
We are in active contact with over 200 partner organisations including the British Library, National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales, Libraries NI, the Imperial War Museum, London Museum, Museum of Liverpool, over 50 regional museums, 130 universities, 317 local councils, and dozens of community and faith organisations.