Volunteer Reflections: Jessica Yates

For this project, I principally worked in Sheffield Archives, gathering information from various resources about the link between Broomhall and the University of Sheffield. In particular, I was researching Mark Firth, the Royal Visit in 1905 which was for the opening of the University which proceeded through Broomhall, and also the history of the buildings in Broomhall which are now owned by the University. I combined all of this information into short written pieces for the website.

I have acquired many practical skills from working for the Our Broomhall project. I have gained experience of working in Sheffield Archives, attended an Oral Historical Training Session, helped with a session at a local primary school teaching the children about their local history, as well as attending a Website training session.

My experience with Our Broomhall has made me more confident and organised in my approach to work as a result of being left to structure my own project completely. Thanks to my archival and research skills, I secured a role as a Researcher on the Black Atlantic Slavery in Sheffield project. The experience with Our Broomhall has been invaluable as it has provided me with the skills to get a job, something I could not get before due to lack of experience.