Funding for Swindon & Wiltshire Pride hopes to uncover hidden history
The grant enables history project to explore LGBTQIA+ heritage in Wiltshire
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride has been awarded a £69,500 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to launch 'We Were Always Here', a community heritage project focusing on the LGBTQIA+ social history in Wiltshire.
The project aims to explore two centuries of social history, from the introduction of strict anti-homosexual laws in the 18th century to the passage of the same-sex marriage act in 2014.
'We Were Always Here' will aim to uncover stories of ordinary LGBTQIA+ individuals in Wiltshire and their experiences throughout history.
The grant will support the creation of community resources, including an exhibition, a history book, and online historical resource pages.
The free-standing exhibition will be available for loan and will find a permanent home at the Pride Hub in Swindon town centre.
The illustrated history book will be distributed free-of-charge to education institutions and LGBTQIA+ organizations in Wiltshire.
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride is also recruiting for several paid positions, including project coordinator and oral history coordinator, as well as seeking volunteer researchers.
Applications for paid roles close on 3rd April 2026.
Vice-Chair James Fraser expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its role in preserving LGBTQIA+ history and acknowledging support from National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making it possible.
Kate Parsons, Heritage Interpretation Design Lead, expressed a desire to capture the narratives of those who lived through decriminalization periods to ensure their stories are preserved.
Individuals interested in applying for roles or contributing to the project can find more information on their website.