Interview with Thelma Bishop-Young Community Curator for the Bargate
As part of City Reflections – a spectacular series of light projections coming to Southampton in February 2026 – six Community Curators have been exploring the city’s archives, stories, and heritage. Each curator has worked closely with their community, uncovering hidden histories and reflecting them back through collaboration with the creative team.
We spoke with Thelma Bishop-Young, who has been working on the projection for the Bargate.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you to the Community Curator role?
I’ve lived in Southampton all my life. Before this, I was involved as a Local Connector and Local Ambassador through the City of Culture bid. I’ve always been curious about the history of the city, and this project felt like a brilliant way to dive into the archives and explore what Southampton has to offer – and to share that with local people.
What building and theme have you been given?
I’ve been given the honour of working with the Bargate, with the theme of culture.
How have you approached the project? How have you found the research element? How have you engaged your community?
At the beginning, all the curators were shown around the archive stores – a fascinating experience that gave us just a glimpse of what’s held there. Working with the team at the City Archives, I focused on cultural topics but quickly realised the theme was too broad. With input from community members and volunteers, we decided to narrow our focus to volunteering and free cultural events, and also to look at how culture changes through migration.
I’ve loved the research side of this project. I’m a bit of a history nerd, so spending hours with old photos and documents was heaven. Some of the material really blew my mind – especially seeing how welcoming and open Southampton was 100 years ago, and realising that spirit still runs through the city today.
To engage my community, I worked mainly in small groups and one-to-one conversations, sharing what I’d found in the archives and asking what they thought best represented Southampton’s volunteering culture. Their insights shaped what I chose to take forward.
What has been the most meaningful or surprising part of the experience for you?
The most meaningful part has been the sheer depth of knowledge held by the archive staff. You can ask them almost anything and they’ll immediately find a document, photo, or record that brings the past to life.
The most surprising part has been the lack of recent material in the archives – especially from the last 30 to 50 years. It made me realise how important it is that we think about what we leave behind for future generations, and how we can add more of today’s culture back into the archives.
Has working on this project shaped or changed your approach to community and creativity?
I don’t think it’s changed my approach, but it has deepened it. Many of the people I worked with I’ve known for more than 20 years, but sitting down with them in this context gave me new perspectives. Hearing their stories, connecting their personal histories with what we found in the archives, and watching them recall moments from their youth has been a really rewarding part of the process.
If I were to do it again, I’d want to capture even more personal histories to add into the archives.
Now that you’re nearly ready to hand over to the creative team, what are your hopes looking ahead?
I hope the projection will be fast-paced and vibrant, reflecting the energy of Southampton today. I’d love it to be fully inclusive of what the community has put forward, so people feel they’re really represented.
I also hope it sparks memories for older generations – moments that remind them of their past and encourage them to share those stories. And I’d love it to inspire more people to get involved in volunteering and cultural activities across the city.
What does belonging in Southampton feel like to you?
Having lived here all my life, belonging in Southampton has always felt natural to me. It’s about being part of a community and sharing in the city’s culture.
Culture isn’t just about art, books, or theatre – it’s about people, volunteering, and community. For me, belonging means being rooted in those shared experiences and being part of a city that continues to welcome and include people.
Experience City Reflections
You can see Thelma Bishop-Young’s work – along with projections created by five other Community Curators – as part of City Reflections, taking place across Southampton from 18–21 February 2026.
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes interviews as we shine a light on the people and stories that make up this extraordinary city.