Thank you for taking part in Local Heroes.
Local Heroes is an educational programme that helps young people record, preserve and share the stories of people in their community. Working with their teachers, students learn how to plan, film and archive oral history interviews that will become part of a growing digital collection of local stories and experiences.
By taking part, you will be helping students develop confidence, curiosity and communication skills, while helping preserve stories that might otherwise be lost.
What is a “Local Hero”?
A Local Hero is someone whose experiences, work, service, achievements or contribution to their community students feel should be remembered and shared.
Local Heroes come from all walks of life. Some have served their communities publicly; others have quieter stories that still deserve to be heard.
What taking part involves
As part of Local Heroes, students will arrange a filmed interview with you, supported by school staff and the Local Heroes programme.
The interview is intended to feel like a relaxed conversation rather than a formal performance or test. Students will ask questions about your life, experiences and memories.
Interviews are usually filmed:
- at school
- in a community setting
- or occasionally in another agreed location
Students will also create a short profile page about you to accompany the interview in the archive.
Preparing for the interview
No special preparation is needed.
Some people like to:
- think about key moments in their life
- bring along photographs or objects
- make a few notes beforehand
But there is no expectation to do so.
You do not need any previous experience of being interviewed or filmed.
Who will conduct the interview?
Students will usually ask the questions themselves, supported by teachers and guidance from the Local Heroes programme.
The students are learning:
- how to ask thoughtful questions
- how to listen carefully
- how to preserve stories respectfully and responsibly
All interviews are supervised by responsible adults.
What happens to the interview?
Your interview and related materials will be:
- stored as part of the school’s Local Heroes archive
- used for educational purposes
- published online as part of the archive
Before anything is published, you will have the opportunity to:
- review your interview and profile page
- request corrections or changes
- ask for material to be removed
- confirm that you are happy for the material to be published
Nothing will be published without your approval.
Your choices and control
We want everyone taking part to feel comfortable, respected and fully informed.
You can:
- ask questions at any stage
- pause the interview at any time
- request changes before publication
- ask for restrictions on how material is used
How your information is used
We only collect a small amount of personal information, such as your name and contact details, in order to organise the interview and communicate with you about the project.
Your information will be stored securely and used only for purposes connected to Local Heroes.
You can read more in our:
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear?
Whatever makes you feel comfortable. There is no dress code.
Can I bring photographs or documents?
Yes — many people find this helpful, though it is entirely optional.
What if I say something I later regret?
You will have the opportunity to review the material before publication and request changes if needed.
Can I pause the interview?
Yes. The interview can be paused at any time.
Who will be able to see the interview?
This will depend on how the school is using its archive, but interviews may be published online as part of the Local Heroes archive. You will always have the opportunity to review and approve material before publication.
Will the students be filming and recording themselves?
Sometimes students may appear in behind-the-scenes footage or project materials as part of their participation in Local Heroes. Schools manage permissions for student participation separately.
Questions?
If you have any questions about taking part in Local Heroes, please contact:
hello@localheroesarchive.com
We would be very pleased to hear from you.