TRAFFORD Council has secured a grant of more than £50,000 from the Armed Forces Community Covenant for its ‘Serving Stories’ project.


In partnership with the Armed Forces Partnership and the Imperial War Museum North, the project aims enable ex-forces personnel to share their stories through three interlinked project activities – an engagement programme targeting schools and youth groups, a short film resource and public engagement events.


Serving Stories will involve ‘placing veterans and ex-forces personnel at the heart of the programme’ in order to foster ‘inter-generational and inter-cultural understanding’ across Trafford’s service and non-service communities.


Executive councillor, Jonathan Coupe, said: “To have this opportunity is something we are extremely excited about.


“It is especially important and pleasing that we are working alongside our colleagues at IWM North.”


He added: “This is not just about history, although obviously that forms an important part of it. With troops still serving in many areas across the world and in many different ways, it is important people understand the contribution made by the Armed Forces to all our lives.”


Graham Boxer, director at IWM North, said “Personal stories are an important part of the work we do to share the cause, course and consequence of war.


“Our own First World War Centenary exhibition has just launched, telling the story of the contribution of the North West, so it is fitting that this project enables us to work with local ex-service personnel to enable them to share their own experiences of current conflict.”


Anyone wanting to find out more about the project or get involved should email James McSharry, learning resources manager at IWM North, at jmcsharry@iwm.org.uk.