Hidden Impact: Stories of People with Learning Disabilities, their Journeys and Contributions to the First World War

Comprising performances, accessible exhibitions, workshops, talks and lectures, Magpie Dance brought the findings of Dr Lee Humber of Ruskin College, Oxford, along with new research from self-advocacy group 'My Life, My Choice', to wider public attention. With hospital records regarded as ‘classified information’ for one hundred years, the First World War centenary was a chance to begin investigating the roles that people with learning disabilities played during the First World War. Through a series of performance pieces, Magpie Dance endeavoured to bring to life the stories of these individuals, especially the journeys and contributions they made towards the national war effort. Performance venues included the Royal Opera House, Harrow Arts Centre, Guy’s Hospital, St Thomas’ Hospital, Glades shopping centre, Conduit Club, Mind the Gap, The Place and Astley Day Centre. Performances marked Remembrance Day whilst others were shared as part of Disability History Month and for Disability Pride events. Collaborating with a range of organisations, including Access All Areas, Bromley Museum and Archives, English National Ballet, Royal Academy of Dance and Sadler’s Wells, the project provided a variety of opportunities for participants; from watching performances, participating in dance, drama and physical theatre sessions, workshops led by experts, handling war-era artefacts and even developing new skills such as film making. These events, coupled with innovative use of virtual and augmented reality technology, sought to make the global heritage of the First World War more accessible for people with learning disabilities.