Groundwork Project

Amplifying Voices and Transforming Heritage for People with Learning Disabilities in Portsmouth

Groundwork is a project rewriting Portsmouth’s historical narrative by amplifying voices that have been silenced for too long.

Through the power of storytelling and community-led creativity, Groundwork is working alongside people with a learning disability to connect with their heritage and shape a more inclusive future.

For generations, people with a learning disability have been excluded from historical and cultural records, their stories left untold. Groundwork aims to change that by shining a spotlight on the experiences and contributions of this community.

By capturing the oral histories of 50 people with a learning disability in Portsmouth, this trailblazing initiative will create the city’s first-ever dedicated archive for their voices—preserving their rich personal and cultural heritage for future generations.

“We want to turn a negative past into a positive future for people with disabilities. When we can do this, it will be a weight off our shoulders.” – Olivia, Groundwork participant

At the heart of the project is TNG’s Inclusive Arts Committee, a group of 13 ambassadors with a learning disability who have co-designed every aspect of the project. Together, they are challenging outdated perceptions, championing equality, and ensuring people with a learning disability take centre stage in this unprecedented exploration of personal and collective history in the city.

Transforming Stories Into Change

Through powerful first-hand accounts, Groundwork seeks to not only fill gaps in Portsmouth’s heritage but also confront the injustices of the past—and present.

“People need to listen to us and be educated. Treat us like human beings. Hearing our stories will make people feel more relaxed around us. Back in the day, people like us would have been locked up. This is still happening today. It’s terrible. Telling our stories will help stop this from happening in the future.” – Inclusive Arts Committee

Groundwork will culminate in Portsmouth’s first-ever learning disability-led festival and exhibition at Aspex Portsmouth in April 2026, celebrating This New Ground’s new role as an Associate Company. Curated by the Inclusive Arts Committee, this three-month exhibition will provide a powerful platform for voices of people with a learning disability to shine through artwork, storytelling, and creative expression, offering audiences an inclusive perspective on the city’s history and culture.

This New Ground is calling on the people of Portsmouth to help bring this project to life by sharing their stories. The organisation invites residents with learning disabilities to share their stories of Portsmouth’s heritage from their unique perspective. Through their lived experiences, participants of the Groundwork project will help empower the disabled community, ensure every voice is heard, and preserve these invaluable hidden histories and cultural legacies for generations to come. To learn more about the Groundwork project and how to get involved, please contact: nathalie@thisnewground.com

A Vision for Creativity and Inclusion

Funded by Arts Council England, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and delivered in partnership with Aspex Portsmouth and Portsmouth Creates,

Groundwork is establishing Portsmouth as a vibrant hub for creativity and inclusion.

“This funding will empower us to create a dynamic and inclusive cultural landscape in Portsmouth, where people with learning disabilities can not only participate but lead. Groundwork represents a crucial step in our journey toward artistic leadership and community driven innovation. We look forward to sharing this exciting evolution with our community and beyond.”⁠ - Nathalie Russell-Clarke, Co-Director of This New Ground⁠