Culture And Memory

The People’s Gallery: A hundred and 10 years of healthcare, hospitals, heritage and healing

We will work with our hospital community of patients, staff, former staff and our local community to develop a participatory timeline and digital audio trail documenting an 110 year history of hospitals and healing in Sandwell and West Birmingham. The need for this project arises from the imminent closure and demolition of Birmingham City Hospital, a pivotal institution in the communities of Winson Green, Smethwick, and West Birmingham for over a century. With the hospital services moving to the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) in autumn 2024, there is a significant risk of losing vital elements of the history and voices of the community that Hospital has served. Through feedback and consultation with staff and the hospital community, local people have expressed a strong interest in learning more about their local history recognising that it is at risk due to large-scale redevelopment.