In February 2014, a research group of health professionals from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and academics from Exeter University, Penryn Campus launched the Asylum Stories project, to collect stories and memories from former staff, patients and members of the community about St Lawrence’s Hospital. So far, nearly 20 people have had their spoken stories digitally recorded and these will be archived with Cornwall Audio Visual Archive (CAVA) within the University’s Institute of Cornish Studies (ICS). The group also want to encourage anyone who has been influenced by the hospital in any way to write down their stories which will also be collected together. These can be e-mailed, posted or dropped in to one of the community events which will be held in the forthcoming months.
Anyone who has any artefacts or photographs relating to the old hospital, is also invited to attend a coffee morning at St Lawrence’s Community Church on Saturday 21st June between 10am and 12 midday.
The project team will be there to photograph each item and hear the story it represents.
The project has been funded by FEAST, which is managed by Cornwall Arts Centre Trust, and the Cornwall Councillor Community Grant Scheme. If you want to contribute your story then please contact: asylumstoriesbodmin@gmail.com or leave a message on 07443579046. Alternatively write your story down and send to Dr Jo Esra, Institute of Cornish Studies, College of Humanities, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn Cornwall, TR10 9EZ.
