A trove of stories, memories and archival footage from Carrick Hill has been opened up to residents through a new interactive storytelling initiative delivered in partnership with the Nerve Centre and Belfast Stories.

Working alongside the Carrick Hill Residents' Association, the Nerve Centre has captured, digitised and catalogued decades of video and audio from a community-held cache of cassette and VHS recordings.

The work has produced an interactive portal, installed on a touchscreen at Carrick Hill Community Centre, giving free access to around 60 pieces of hyper-local content that tell the story of the area — material that had previously been in danger of disappearing.

The initiative began when the Nerve Centre engaged with Carrick Hill Community Group in July 2024, initially as a short-term plan to bring local stories to life through immersive film. After a series of storytelling sessions, residents shared their memories of Carrick Hill over the years, while community leaders pointed to an important archive documenting the neighbourhood and its people. Frank Dempsey, Carrick Hill Residents' Association, said: "These stories belong to the people of Carrick Hill, so it means a great deal to have them archived, protected and - most importantly - shared and enjoyed again. Places like Carrick Hill have a rich community history and legacy that can give people a real sense of pride and belonging. Already we are seeing younger people discovering the history of their community in a way that feels accessible to them, whilst our older residents are coming in and recognising faces, places and memories that are helping them rekindle their deep-rooted connection to the community. It's a genuine joy to be able to capture and share our story for future generations."

Bespoke 'Story Engine' technology, developed through the Augment the City programme, was used to enhance video and audio quality, catalogue material, and surface links and themes across the collection.

Niall Kerr, Head of Heritage and Community Relations at Nerve Centre, said: "This project is a compelling example of how technology can support community storytelling. By working closely with Carrick Hill Community Group and taking time to build trust, we have been able to help unlock an archive at risk of being lost and give a rich and rewarding experience back to the people of Carrick Hill."

Belfast Stories and the Nerve Centre are partnering to help communities discover, capture and store their stories for long-term use.

Wendy Langham, Programme Director of Belfast Stories, said: "The Carrick Hill story project captures exactly what Belfast Stories is about — communities leading the way in telling their own stories, in their own voice. These memories, archives and personal experiences help us understand the city through the people who know it best. Communities across the city will continue to play an important role in shaping the wider Belfast Stories journey."

The Carrick Hill archive portal can be accessed at the Carrick Hill Residents' Association. Further events and community activities are planned to encourage more people to explore and contribute to the collection, and everyone is welcome to visit and take a look.