An exhibition celebrating Walthamstow’s forgotten heroes opens today.An exhibition celebrating Walthamstow’s forgotten heroes opens today.

Our Voices is the product of ten years of research to uncover stories of the area’s lesser-known trailblazers, including free school meals pioneers and lesbian suffragettes. Our Voices is the product of ten years of research to uncover stories of the area’s lesser-known trailblazers, including free school meals pioneers and lesbian suffragettes. 

Since many of those featured came from East London’s working class communities, local non-profit Share UK has relied on oral histories and newspaper cuttings to piece together their stories.Since many of those featured came from East London’s working class communities, local non-profit Share UK has relied on oral histories and newspaper cuttings to piece together their stories.

Project manager Esther Freeman said: “When you say E17, many people can’t get past the 90s boy band. When you talk about East London more widely it is even worse: poverty, vice and of course the brutal Jack the Ripper murders. Project manager Esther Freeman said: “When you say E17, many people can’t get past the 90s boy band. When you talk about East London more widely it is even worse: poverty, vice and of course the brutal Jack the Ripper murders. 

“But our area has a much richer history than that. It’s full of radical thinkers, trailblazers and pioneers. This exhibition shares stories of some of them.”“But our area has a much richer history than that. It’s full of radical thinkers, trailblazers and pioneers. This exhibition shares stories of some of them.”

(Credit: Share UK)(Credit: Share UK)

Using QR codes dotted around the exhibition, visitors can use their phones to hear people tell stories in their own words.Using QR codes dotted around the exhibition, visitors can use their phones to hear people tell stories in their own words.

Share UK, based in Walthamstow, was founded in 2012 and has since trained nearly 100 volunteers in heritage and digital skills.Share UK, based in Walthamstow, was founded in 2012 and has since trained nearly 100 volunteers in heritage and digital skills.

Our Voices is open at The Mill community centre in Coppermill Lane until 3rd JulyOur Voices is open at The Mill community centre in Coppermill Lane until 3rd July