The Journey (The Changing of Southampton ) E-Book
What is ‘The Journey’?
'The Journey - A Changing Southampton' is a Heritage Lottery funded project that will last for 18 months.
It will tell the people's story - those who made ‘The Journey’ from the Indian sub-continent, either directly or via other countries (including Uganda), to Southampton.
We will record Oral Histories, learn about individual experiences and explore how Southampton has changed because of the heritage of its diverse citizens.
As the project progresses we will be creating radio shows and podcast episodes, undertaking historical research - all culminating in a permanent exhibition at the Sea City Museum!
Local colleges will also be using our recordings and research to produce more exciting creative outputs.
If you would like to join us on 'The Journey' and be part of a team of volunteers who make it all happen -
Click the button below to sign up!
A Changing Southampton
Episode 1 – “The British Empire & The Homeland”
The 1st episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
We have been training volunteers to record Oral History interviews with members of our community who have made Southampton home. Their journeys from India and East Africa are being heard, shared and saved for evermore in the city’s archives.
In this first episode we hear from Jayanti, Indra, Chandrakant, Ravi, Manoj, Vinod and K. They help us to understand the impact of the British Empire across the world and people’s connection to the UK, despite great distance.
Learn about the shared history that we are all a part of…
Presenter / Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 2 – “Childhood Memories”
The 2nd episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
In this episode we travel back in time, learning about life growing up in India and East Africa. Hear the early memories of school, festivals, and childhood games that our interviewees shared with us.
Nostalgic reminiscence that paints a fascinating picture for the listener of life in another place and time…
Presenter / Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 3 – “The Journey out of East Africa Part 1”
The 3rd episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
In this episode, our interviewees from East Africa retell the various reasons for leaving their homes. Some decided to join family members who had already settled overseas, others went to seek employment or education and then there were those in Uganda…
For the Asians who had grown up in Uganda, the year of 1972 changed their lives forever; it was when Idi Amin announced they had just 90 days to leave.
This episode touches on the highs and lows of leaving East Africa. We hear from Kavita – an amusing and memorable journey.
We are also invited to share Ravi’s experience – one he may prefer to forget…
Presenter / Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 4 – “The Journey out of East Africa Part 2”
The 4th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Continuing to uncover the personal stories of Ugandan Asians who fled the country in 1972 due to Idi Amin.
In this episode we hear from Chandrakant, learning how he left with his family thanks to the Uganda Resettlement Board.
He describes the process to escape and the 150 mile journey to the airport, through 18 army barriers. He also gives us some insight into what Amin was thought to be capable of – which some listeners may find upsetting.
Presenter / Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 5 – “Arrival! Camps & the British Weather”
The 5th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Landing in the UK our interviewees from Uganda had to face some immediate challenges.
Whilst food and accommodation was taken care of in one of sixteen camps, the British weather caused a more pressing need for warm clothes!
In this episode we learn about life in the camps and how our interviewees ultimately ended up in Southampton – for some, many, many years after arrival.
Presenter / Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 6 – “Arrival over the years”
The 6th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Our focus now shifts away from our Ugandan Asian interviewees to those who arrived in the UK, over the years, from elsewhere.
We hear about arrivals from India and Kenya, understand the reasons they came and reveal their first impressions of Southampton.
Arriving at different ages and during different times, our interviewees recollections are varied and insightful.
Though from different corners of the planet, they are united by a shared heritage and the choice to make Southampton, and the surrounding areas, home…
Presenter / Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 7 – “Settlement – Part 1 of 3”
The 7th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Some time has passed and our interviewees have been steadily adjusting to life in the UK.
Of the many aspects that contribute to feeling settled, this episode covers the task of ‘putting food on the table’.We learn how people earned their money – the work undertaken – and the food they were able to buy.
Our host is Divya Singh, an Indian arrival of more recent times.
Join her for a fascinating insight into the process of settling both in today’s time and in years gone by.
Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 8 – “Settlement – Part 2 of 3”
The 8th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Host Divya Singh continues to share the highs and lows of settling in the UK over the years.
In this episode we hear about the opportunities for entertainment, the impact of marriage and the challenges of relationships – both within a single community and across two differing ones.
Our interviewees give us an insight into the ways communications have changed – from airmail to telephone and even the changes that have come from mobile sim packages to today’s instant video calls.
Where to live within Southampton and how families came together to make things work is a popular topic.
Tune in for an intriguing window to the past through the lens of today.
Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 9 – “Settlement – Part 3 of 3”
The 9th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Our interviewees have already shared many of their thoughts and feelings about settling in Southampton. In this final episode of these specific ‘Settlement’ themed shows, host Divya Singh takes a look at the different communities around us.
Our neighbours, friends and the wider groups of people we surround ourselves with can help (or hinder!) how we adapt and feel connected.
Divya shares her personal stories to compare and contrast a more modern experience with our interviewees who arrived during (and pre) the 1970s.
Enjoy this, the 9th episode of this fascinating project, sharing and preserving the stories of Southampton and its citizens.
Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 10 – “Support & Change – Radio”
The 10th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Ever wondered how and why Unity 101 FM started? When was the first British Asian broadcast?
Host Natalie Barrass chats with Dr Gloria Khamkar and Dr Ram Kalyan Kelly about the “Evolution of British Asian Radio”.
From the origins in the 1960s – all the way through to today – it’s a fascinating exploration of something we’re all familiar with.
This episode is the first “Support & Change” show which brings the stories of settlement within Southampton fully up to date.
Learn how radio helped the new arrivals of the sixties to integrate and assimilate into the UK way of life and how today’s Community Radio plays a big part in strengthening communities.
Presenter & Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 11 – “Support & Change – Community Groups & Events”
The 11th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
When you move to a new country – how do you stay connected to your roots? What’s the importance of community?
In this episode of “Support & Change” Natalie speaks with two of Southampton’s social connectors – Professor Michael Ng and Anjali Mavi and learns how people are being brought together both in the physical and virtual world.
Michael is the chairperson of the Chinese Association of Southampton and Anjali – as well as being a Unity 101 volunteer – is involved in creating and supporting a number of online and real-life gatherings.
Despite making their personal journeys from two very different countries and cultures – their passion to help and support ALL people is a shared vision.
Presenter & Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 12 – “Support & Change – Secondary Education”
The 12th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
When moving to a new country – it’s not just your home that changes…
Your support network changes. Your day to day routine changes. Even your language changes! (at least for part of the day)
So what is it like to come to Southampton and join a new school?
We spoke to four students from Cantell School, along with teacher Kathryn Cox about how pupils are helped to integrate and make new friends.
We learn about the technology available today and hear how they feel about making their own journeys to Southampton…
Presenter & Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 13 – “Support & Change – Help!”
The 13th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Help! Something the Beatles sang about and something we all need from time to time.
But what help is available and how do people access it? When you move to a new country – do you even know the number to call for the Police, Fire or Ambulance Service?
In this week’s episode, Natalie speaks with 3 ‘helpers’ from the local area – Ben Taylor from Hampshire Fire & Rescue, Bella Crawford from Citizens Advice Eastleigh and Fiona Pink from Hampshire & IOW Victim Care Service.
They discuss the broad range of help available to people in the area – both emergency and non-life threatening plus look at how the organisations themselves have changed over the years to better support new arrivals.
Presenter & Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
A Changing Southampton
Episode 14 – “Support & Change – Health”
The 14th episode from our 18 month project ‘The Journey – A Changing Southampton’ made possible by monies received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
In this episode, host Natalie Barrass speaks with community health engagement office Jill Ghanouni about her work within Southampton’s inner city communities.
They discuss how the NHS has changed in the way people can access its services and her experiences over the years.
Jill offers advice on how to register with a doctor if you’re new to the area and what services – apart from 999 emergency – are offered to keep people healthy.
Presenter & Producer: Natalie Barrass
Mix & Master: Anuj Deo
FAQs about ‘The Journey’
In the New Year we will be training the original volunteers in further skills (5 weeks), whilst recruiting a new batch of volunteers to join us and start their training.
If you have some more time to offer then there are opportunities to learn further skills and take on more responsibility with the project - this can include historical research, writing for the ebook, event management and even exhibition planning!
Get in touch and we can figure it out.
