Hello, my name is Ruth Darling and I run Life Story Hive.
I was first introduced to life story work during the Covid pandemic. I started to work as a home carer and the initial training highlighted its power to support well being and person centred care, especially for older people.
Understanding the lives of the people I cared for was so important to build relationships, with clients as well as their families, and give them an opportunity to remember and talk about the whole of their lives, not just their present situation.
I have since combined life story work with my career as a freelancer working in the cultural sector and recently co-ordinated a life story project with Halton Libraries.
Through Life Story Hive, I create life story books with the support of other freelance colleagues who are designers, editors and proof readers.
I have worked in the museums and heritage sector for over 20 years, as a curator, interpretation specialist, project manager and researcher. I’ve written for exhibitions and publications, including a lovely guidebook for the amazing Rochdale Town Hall – please go and visit them if you have the chance, you won’t be disappointed!
I am also a Director of Everyday Heritage CIC, a community interest company that aims to create opportunities for local communities to take part in participatory heritage projects. We are just starting out and are developing projects with a variety of community groups across the north west.
Rochdale Town Hall has worked with Ruth several times, in fact, she’s so brilliant, we keep inviting her back.
Ruth’s work is pitch-perfect; it’s playful, enquiring, and encourages visitors to keep coming back to explore the Town Hall. Ruth is a rare gift to work with, personable, intelligent, she has an ability to gently guide others to reach their potential. Her work is factual but full of warmth, thoroughly researched and inviting to read, we can’t wait to work with Ruth again.
Cat Jessop, Community and Volunteer Officer, Rochdale Town Hall
The attention to detail and commitment that Ruth gave to the project was crucial to its success. Ruth’s friendly, professional and organised approach meant that she developed really effective working relationships with all stakeholders, and I would welcome the opportunity to work with her again.
Emma Davies, Know Your Neighbourhood Project Manager, Halton Libraries Life Stories