People across Hyndburn are being invited to share their memories of Accrington Victoria Community Hospital as part of a new community project celebrating the site’s history and helping shape its future.
Accrington Victoria Memories will collect photographs, keepsakes, stories and memories connected to the hospital, creating a lasting record of the role it has played in local life.
The project begins with a community event at Accrington Library on Wednesday 21 October, where residents can bring along items that hold personal significance. Photographs will be taken of items on the day, allowing people to contribute while keeping treasured possessions at home.
The memories collected will help inspire a major piece of community artwork that will feature on the site hoarding during redevelopment. The artwork will ensure the people, experiences and stories associated with Accrington Victoria remain part of the site as it enters a new chapter.
Over time, the project is expected to grow through further activities involving local people, schools, artists and community groups, creating opportunities for the community to continue contributing as plans progress.
For many local people, Accrington Victoria is more than a building. It is where loved ones were cared for, where people worked, volunteered, visited family members and experienced important moments in their lives.
Accrington Victoria Memories aims to capture those connections and celebrate the place the hospital holds in the community.
Helen Thompson, Deputy Chief Executive of The Calico Group, said:
“Accrington Victoria is part of thousands of people’s stories.
“People were born here, received care here, worked here, volunteered here and visited loved ones here. The memories connected to this place belong to the community and they deserve to be remembered.
“As we look to the future, we don’t want to lose sight of what made Accrington Victoria special in the first place: the “relationships, experiences and moments that happened here.
“Accrington Victoria Memories is a chance for local people to help tell that story. The memories shared will help create artwork that stays visible throughout the redevelopment, connecting the site’s history with the next chapter of its life.
“The future of this site should be shaped by the people who care about it, and we’re looking forward to hearing their stories.”
Event details
Accrington Victoria Memories
Wednesday 21 October
Accrington Library
4pm to 7pm
People are encouraged to bring:
- Photographs
- Keepsakes and mementos
- Personal stories
- Memories of Accrington Victoria Community Hospital
All items will be photographed and returned immediately.
