Our World

Hello. My name is Sonia Khan, the Co-Production and Engagement Officer of the Esmee Fairburn funded project – Our World, discover objects, explore stories and make connections.

One of the most important aspects of my role is engaging with the local community.

In fact, one of the aims of this project is to work with people of different cultural backgrounds, and make sure that their stories and histories are reflected in the museum. As a local museum, we want communities to feel like they have a greater sense of belonging and connection to their local heritage.

Except, there’s just one small problem…

How do you meet people during a global pandemic?

As I’m sure you’re all aware, this past year has made it extremely difficult to meet people. For a project that is all about engaging with local Rotherham communities to reflect their identity, culture, and heritage, this has meant rethinking the ways in which we connect to each other.

We’ve sent out activity packs to community groups.

We’ve working with artists to deliver to schools and community groups.

We’ve visited other community projects, like this suitcase exhibition at Wentworth Woodhouse.

And I have to say something. Over the past six months working on this project, I’ve had the absolute privilege of working with schools and community groups online, who have impressed me with their resilience, laughter, passion and willingness to work with us. Right now:

I’ve sent over 100 emails to different community groups.

I’ve had more than 50 Teams meetings.

I’ve met over 30 people on Zoom.

I’ve had 15 phone calls.

I’ve planned 5 activities.

I’m learning languages.

But I can’t count how many times I’ve laughed and smiled talking to people. Sometimes, I’ve even been outside, walking and talking to communities

Sometimes, on a Zoom call, I catch a glimpse of a child on screen and talk to them.

Sometimes, on a phone call, I hear someone laugh and listen to the quick joyful movement as the person on the other end switches to a different language.

Sometimes, the internet connection goes, and we all make funny jokes about how the person who has frozen can’t hear us.

We’re still connecting to other people on this project and we want to connect to more. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, so if you want to talk to me about your cultural heritage, please do get in touch.

How do I get in touch?

Send me an email over on sonia.khan@rotherham.gov.uk if you are a community group or an individual and want to get involved with the project.

My name is Sonia Khan, and I’m the Co-Production and Engagement Officer at Rotherham Museums, Arts and Heritage based at Clifton Park Museum. Talking to communities and learning your stories is one of the things I am here to do. I’m here to have a virtual coffee and cake meeting with you. I’m here to speak more broken Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, and Slovak, and to develop the activities you want to do at the museum when lockdown is over.

Lockdown will be over. And when it does, I’ll be excited to meet you all in person.

Until then, it’s back to the digital drawing board.