What Keeps Us Well? – INYBB Heritage Zines
In spring 2026, I was commissioned by INYBB to create two A3, eight-page zines as part of the What Keeps Us Well? heritage project. Drawing on materials from the Surrey History Centre archive alongside work created with the halow Project, Woking youth groups and the GRT community, the zines communicate connections between wellbeing, heritage and belonging. Click here to find out more about It’s Not Your Birthday But: https://inybb.com/
Project Focus
Heritage and community storytelling
Illustration and collage
Archival research
Creative wellbeing
Participatory arts
My Role
Researching archival material from Surrey History Centre
Reviewing artwork and workshop outcomes from three community groups
Designing two A3, eight-page zines
Using collage, colour and layout to connect multiple voices and narratives
Creating accessible zines that celebrate wellbeing and heritage
Creative Process
The project began by spending time with existing drawings, photographs, archive materials, notes and workshop outcomes. Through collage, colour and composition, I explored visual links between people's stories, ideas and creative responses.
I was particularly interested in how many different voices, artistic styles and mediums could coexist within a single zine. Rather than presenting the archive as fixed history, the zines created a conversation between historical material and contemporary community experiences, encouraging readers to reflect on their own wellbeing.
Collaboration
This project was commissioned by INYBB as part of the What Keeps Us Well? heritage project.
The publications brought together contributions from:
Surrey History Centre
the halow Project
Woking youth groups
the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community
Outcome
The completed zines weave together archival research and community-created artwork into two zines that celebrate creativity and wellbeing. They invite people to think about those everyday things that help us feel connected.
