Are you curious, creative, and interested in shaping how history is shared?
We’re looking for up to 10 co-curators aged 18-24 to join The Home of Conversation, a new creative history project at Cumberland Lodge, supported by Historic Houses.
This is your chance to explore real stories from Cumberland Lodge’s history and transform them into something fresh, engaging, and relevant for today. Working together, you’ll help investigate and interpret five stories that visitors can discover around the Lodge.
Whether you’re interested in heritage, culture, research, storytelling, podcasting, design, social media, or simply making your voice heard, we’d love to hear from you.
No previous experience or qualifications are needed.
About Cumberland Lodge
Cumberland Lodge is a 17th century building in Windsor Great Park with a long history of bringing people together through conversation. Since 1947 it has been home to an educational charity developing future leaders and exploring some of the complex issues impacting society. The Home of Conversation project is an opportunity to discover stories from the Lodge’s past, connect them to issues that matter today, and create something new for future visitors to experience.
What’s the project about?
The way we share stories about the past shapes how we understand the present and imagine the future. The Home of Conversation brings together young people to explore key moments from Cumberland Lodge’s history and ask questions such as:
- Whose stories get remembered?
- How can history help us understand issues facing society today?
- What does conversation, connection, and inclusion mean in the modern world?
- How can creative media bring historical stories to life?
Together, you’ll research fascinating stories, share ideas, and create a series of audio pieces (with accompanying transcripts and supporting assets) that will become part of a public audio tour at Cumberland Lodge.
What will I do?
As a co-curator, you’ll work alongside other young people, a lead curator, and creative facilitators to:
- Explore stories from Cumberland Lodge’s past
- Develop ideas for public-facing audio content
- Record conversations and audio content
- Shape the creative direction of the project
- Connect historical stories to issues that matter today
- Help design accompanying creative materials and communications
You’ll have the opportunity to contribute in ways that suit your interests and strengths. Not everyone needs to be comfortable speaking on recordings. There are plenty of opportunities to contribute behind the scenes.
What will I gain?
This project is designed to help you develop practical creative skills while collaborating with other young people who care about culture, history, and social change.
You’ll gain experience in:
- Historical research
- Audio/podcast production
- Storytelling
- Heritage and cultural engagement
- Collaboration and project development
- Public-facing creative work
Most importantly, you’ll help shape how history is shared with new audiences.
Time commitment
The project runs from September 2026 to March 2027.
Key dates
September 2026
- Online introduction session (Monday 7 September, 4-5pm – attendance highly recommended)
- First in-person workshop at Cumberland Lodge (Friday 11 September 2026 – attendance essential)
October-February
- Monthly online sessions
- Group development and production work
Early 2027
- Second in-person workshop at Cumberland Lodge (date tbc, likely to be early March – attendance essential)
- Recording and final production
March 2027
- Project launch and public sharing
Travel expenses will be covered up to the value of £100 across the project, and you will receive a £50 honorarium for your time. For on-site sessions at Cumberland Lodge, lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Who should apply?
You might be interested in:
- Culture, heritage, and history
- Creative media and storytelling
- Podcasts, audio, and digital content
- Social issues and current debates
- Representation and inclusion
- Museums, galleries, archives, and public history
We’re particularly interested in hearing from people with different experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.
How to apply
Respond to both questions below using one of the following formats:
Option 1: Video
- Maximum 90 seconds (MP4)
Option 2: Poster
- One A4 page (PDF)
Option 3: Written response
- Any style (personal statement, story, poem, article, etc.) up to maximum 500 words (PDF)
Application questions
1. What does ‘inclusive history’ mean to you?
2. What interests/excites you most about the Home of Conversation project, and why?
While we understand you may wish to use AI during the application process, we strongly encourage you to work as independently and authentically as possible so we can see your own views and ideas.
Submit your application
Complete our brief application form and upload your creative application response by 31 July 2026, 11:59pm.
If you have any access requirements or questions about the process, please get in touch with our Lead Curator Sahar Khan at skhan@cumberlandlodge.ac.uk