Re-imagining the Workhouse, Southwell

Jim has been worked for 18 months to help create a new vision for this National Trust site in Nottinghamshire. A round of audience consultation helped us re-imagine the workhouse around the Trusts' founding principles and the site's spirit of place; to move people from memory to action. We knew the site could develop from telling a story of the Victorian Workhouse to one of universal relevance exploring the founding of the Welfare State. Jim led a summer of testing new interpretation approaches. We worked with photographers, digital wizards from the University of Nottingham, social enterprises and singer-songwriter Chris T-T. A really exciting time and great demonstration of just what is possible at this amazing property. He secured funding to enable a complete site redevelopment including the restoration of the site’s infirmary block. Reopened in 2019 this is a very different Workhouse. One which works with, supports and gives voice to those who have direct experience of poverty, isolation or crisis.