Unlocking the Past

Welcome to the website of Unlocking the Past, a Community Service Volunteers (CSV) project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Launched in summer 2006, this developing website provides:

• An archive, a collection, of stories and photographs of former residents and staff of the Royal Albert Hospital, Lancaster - a large Victorian long stay institution for people with learning difficulties which closed its doors in 1996.
• Articles along with resource information relating to the Royal Albert itself, the social history of learning disability and oral history.

Individuals who are now described as having learning difficulties have been labelled in many diferent ways during the course of the past 150 years. Many of these labels are seen as deeply offensive. However in the interests of historical accuracy and to reflect changing attitudes this website will use some of these terms. We do not in any way support the everyday use of such labels.

What do you think of our website?

What is difficult for you?

What works well?

Please let us know either through electronic feedback: We need your comments!! 

Or you can get in touch by telephoning Nigel Ingham on 01524 67531

Also there may be lots of ways you can help the project, or just wish to contact us for further information - please feel free to do so.