As part of our crowdfunding campaign for a new printed edition of Burnley ViewPoint, we've asked members of our volunteer editorial team to share what the project means to them. Through their reflections, you'll discover the role Burnley ViewPoint has played in building confidence, creating connections and providing a platform for local stories and voices.

What Burnley ViewPoint Means To Me - Ajaz

I am a writer from Lancashire who writes about place, identity, and community. A couple of years ago, I joined the Burnley ViewPoint team (which at the time didn't even have a name) because it felt rooted in something that I was already doing. 

Over the first few weeks, guided by Colin Petch of Mag North and Stephie Jessop of Culturapedia, I got stuck in and navigated my place within the team. My skills as a writer and editor came in very handy early on. The rest of the team also brought skills just as handy, and, together, we built the infrastructure for public outreach - a website, an email list, and a plan!

Our first open calls for submissions saw immediate response, which highlighted the need for the space we had created. A place for people to voice their own words. This worked because the ViewPoint wasn't interested in giving out narratives as much as it was interested in discovering them and sharing them back out into the world. 

The ViewPoint afforded many opportunities - from street photography and interviews to online articles and live events, and even a printed version that saw much community engagement. Many of the people who came forward with submissions were subsequently published, both online and in print. Many saw their words become public for the first time, performed for the first time, and saw the power that their viewpoints held.

The ViewPoint brought together a whole host of people. It became not only a sure way to document the town and its people, places and concerns, but also a way to connect those who may never have met otherwise and to share stories that may never have been told publicly. These are real tangible things; things people are able to hold in their hands, to keep or show the world, because people do recognise themselves in those stories. 

I genuinely do believe that the ViewPoint has a vast potential, especially with the upcoming Burnley Year of Culture 2027. The support the crowdfunding campaign has already received says a lot about that potential. It seems Burnley is backing the ViewPoint as it is much more than a magazine. It is a local legacy. 

I am excited to see how much more momentum we can bring. I see another printed edition, perhaps even regular printed editions, more live events, and much wider participation. 

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Support the next edition of Burnley ViewPoint

We're currently crowdfunding to create a new printed edition focused on hidden stories from across Burnley, alongside a programme of writing and journalism workshops. If you've enjoyed reading this piece and would like to help us uncover more local stories, please consider supporting the campaign or sharing it with someone who might be interested.

https://www.spacehive.com/burnley-viewpoint-hidden-stories-of-burnley

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