Our Living History, Told by You
Our Living History, Told by You
We are a group of people who care passionately about Gloucester. We work in community roles, we are students and teachers, we are artists and professionals. All of us want to celebrate Gloucester’s history and people and share untold stories. We want to grow, amplify and connect – and are always interested in hearing from potential new members.
I have always had a passion for history, but it is only in the past few years that I have begun to learn more about Gloucester’s heritage. While creating my film Gloucester Rolling, I explored the history of wheeled sports in the city and discovered a great deal about my community and its past. This process allowed me to reconnect with my passion, and I had the privilege of meeting remarkable individuals who were eager to have their stories shared. During this time, I also watched many of the Voices films and encountered powerful stories rooted in Gloucester’s heritage. Seeing local people speak about their communities and ancestors filled me with pride. Witnessing the impact these stories had on people in Gloucester inspired me to help Voices of Gloucester uncover the histories that remain hidden beneath the city’s tough exterior. I will always be grateful for the platform that Voices provided me, and I would welcome the opportunity to help offer that same chance to others.
Dan is a bits and bobs-er (he does a little bit of everything). He works across multiple creative platforms, but is perhaps more well versed in the theatre and arts sector. Dan really believes in the stories we share and tell and importantly the people now who’re telling them
Hello, I’m Omar. I am a Lebanese and US American political sociologist, and I’ve lived and worked across three continents before settling here as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Gloucestershire. My background has given me a lifelong passion for exploring how culture and identity bring people together. I am excited to join the Voices Gloucester Community Panel because I believe local history is a powerful way to build community connections. Whether I’m researching street art in post-conflict cities or collaborating on local arts projects, my goal is always to challenge traditional stories and celebrate the “everyday” history of our city. I look forward to helping the panel find and support those stories that haven’t been heard yet.
Sarah Goddard is a sight-impaired mixed-media artist and writer, based in Cheltenham. Sarah is a former recipient of a Voices Grant, for the podcast series Sight Loss Then and Now: investigating experiences of sight loss in Gloucestershire in the 19th and 21st centuries through drama, discussion and lived experience. Sarah holds voluntary roles for a number of third sector and cultural organisations, and became a Voices Gloucester trustee in November 2025.
Lizzy has worked in culture and heritage for over a decade, but has lived in and loved Gloucester for just over 5 years. Her degree is in historical costume, but her passion is the deathly arts, graveyards and all things mourning. Lizzy previously received funding for her Memento Mori project through Voices Gloucester and is excited to support more residents in presenting and promoting the untold stories of the city.
I am working as the Visitor Welcome Manager at Gloucester Cathedral and have lived in Gloucester for about 8 years now – just bought my first flat so I am here to stay! I have come to love Gloucester SO much and whilst I get to interact with lots of the population of Gloucester while front of house at the Cathedral, I would love to be more involved in the community and sharing the interesting and important stories of the city. The passion of people throughout the city to create better spaces, communities and opportunities is incredible – I’ve never known a place like it!
I love history and heritage and have worked in a variety of Visitor Experience roles in the Wildlife Trust, National Trust and now the Cathedral. I am autistic so am particularly passionate about removing barriers and creating inclusive spaces from this POV.
My name is Kelly Marie Horsley. I was born into the Romany Gypsy Community in Gloucester. I am very proud of my heritage and felt honoured that I was able to curate my first exhibition Kushti Divvus followed by the follow up film Dordi Dordi Dikka Kie, funded by Voices Gloucester. I think it is really important to be able to speak out about our heritage, culture and traditions not only to my own community but to people from other backgrounds.
I come from a background in music performance, expanded through university into music production and business. This led to the creation of ‘grayish.records’, a small creative collective producing original, multi-media projects that address gaps in the local music and arts scene. My work also spans music workshop facilitation, live accompaniment for youth theatre, headphone verbatim production, and the promotion of live events.
I am a Gloucestershire-based dance facilitator focusing on participation and community wellbeing. Much of my work is rooted in Gloucestershire, where I collaborate with local artists and communities to create inclusive, accessible dance experiences that celebrate connection. Alongside my freelance practice, I work with Complicité Theatre. I believe the arts are powerful tools for wellbeing, cultural expression and belonging. Outside of work, I love animals and spend as much time as possible with my dog, Leela.
I was born in Cheltenham and apart from a brief spell in Cornwall – have lived in Gloucestershire all my life. I worked for 20 years in the family engineering firm in Tredworth, but when we closed in 2001, I found a job at Gloucestershire Archives. I’ve worked here ever since in various roles in the public research room, education, and outreach roles, and it’s the job I love as I’m passionate about history and especially the history of Gloucester and Gloucestershire.
David Morgan is a historian and writer currently studying MA by Research at the University of Gloucestershire, investigating soldier-tourism in Italian during the Second World. Over the past few years, David has been involved with various projects throughout Cheltenham and Gloucester with a focus on shining a light on hidden histories of individuals and communities; this has seen him visit Bosnia and Herzegovina and interview a kindertransport survivor
Dona Woolf-Sekinger l am currently semi retired and support someone to remain living in their own home for a long as possible. I had worked in health and housing for 20 years.
I have always been interested in people and their wellbeing. Hence l am passionate in preserving culture and heritage.
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