Becoming the Scottish Council on Archive’s (SCA) Community Archive of the Year and taking part in the A Year in the Life of a Community Archive programme came at a particularly significant moment for us as we look ahead to our 50th anniversary in 2027. The recognition was incredibly encouraging and gave us an opportunity to reflect on both how far we’ve come and where we want to go in the future.

The programme highlighted the importance of the archive’s work, both to existing supporters and to people who were discovering us for the first time. It gave us a platform to celebrate the volunteers and contributors who make (and have made) the archive possible.

Community archives of all sizes have important stories to tell and unique contributions to make. The Year in the Life offers a chance to showcase your achievements, of all sizes. To anyone considering applying in the future, we’d say: go for it. If you’re preserving and sharing the history of your community, your work matters. Take the opportunity to tell your story. You may find that the recognition opens doors and creates connections you hadn’t expected. The support we received from the SCA was invaluable.

Being Community Archive of the Year can also help raise your profile, attract new audiences, strengthen partnerships and give wider recognition to the people who have helped build and sustain the archive. The A Year in the Life of a Community Archive programme offers a valuable chance to document and share your journey, challenges and successes with others in the sector. We look forward to seeing a year in the life of Deaf History Scotland throughout 2026 – 27.

Siuthad! Feuch air! (Go for it!)