Stories We Tell: Rochdale, Town of Culture
An immersive audio journey celebrating the voices, memories and places that shape our town
Stories We Tell began right here in Rochdale in 2021, when Breaking Barriers worked with local residents to create an outdoor audio experience that transformed the streets into a living storybook. Through personal memories, everyday moments and powerful community voices, audiences explored Rochdale in a completely new way, guided by the people who call it home.
WHERE WE'VE BEEN
After the success of the original Rochdale project, Stories We Tell was invited into communities across Nelson, Halifax and Gosport, each seeking a bold and authentic way to surface their own stories. Our model is rooted in a co-created, diversity-led approach, enabling each community to tell its story, amplify unheard voices and bring public spaces to life.
Our work is shaped directly by residents through:
- Community conversations
- Story-gathering workshops
- Oral histories
- Archival research and contributions
- Local partnerships with schools, community organisations, artists and grassroots organisations
This collaborative process ensures the final experience feels personal, meaningful and true to the people it represents.
“I found this project to be a fascinating insight into Rochdale and the people who live there, it has genuinely changed my perception of the town. Hearing stories from people who have come to Rochdale from so many different places, and the deep affection they all have for it, was incredibly powerful and uplifting.
Returning home for Rochdale Town of Culture
Five years after its first edition, we were proud to bring Stories We Tell back to Rochdale as part of the Greater Manchester Town of Culture programme.
This new version revisited the original question: What has changed, what has remained, and what stories still live in the walls of this town?
Rochdale’s streets became a tapestry of stories through immersive binaural sound, archival images and videos contributed by residents, window displays and projections.
Real stories shared by the people who shape this town every day.
our impact as part of Rochdale Town of Culture
Stories We Tell: Rochdale, volunteers
We were delighted to welcome 35 new volunteers to support us in the delivery of Stories We Tell: Rochdale!
Volunteers were on hand to support attendees to experience the performance safely, answer questions, support with set up and collate wonderful feedback.
Many people choose to volunteer to meet new people, be part of a creative experiences, give back to their community or develop skills in arts, events and cultural production. Others volunteer because they believe in the power of storytelling, want to support local talent, or simply love being part of something that celebrates the place they call home.
If you’d like to join our Breaking Barriers volunteer pool, please register below.
“You didn’t force me to come out of my comfort zone, you made me want to leave it.”
“It’s been tough after graduating, but this has given me purpose. We’ve only known each other for two weeks but you’ve been so welcoming.”
“This has redirected me as I try to find my way. I wish I could have done more nights to be honest.”
