Hema Raull, Community Outreach Officer's first project, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is to work closely with individuals and organisations that originate from the regions of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and live within Ealing and Hounslow to create a new South Asian archive which will become part of the Museum's permanent collection.

Gunnersbury Park Museum is in possession of the Dennis Morris �Home from Home' photographic collection which documents the everyday lives and events of the Southall community in the late 1970s.   The Museum's collection also includes costumes and objects which represent the South Asian community. These artefacts are the beginnings of the South Asian archive.

The Museum wishes to fully record, document and preserve the contribution, impact and influence of this community.   To do this, the project will record life stories, collect documents, photographs and objects that reflect these communities.

This new collection will record the historical and present experience within the local South Asian community and show how the social and cultural landscape within Ealing and Hounslow has changed.   The collection will integrate and expand the Museum's existing oral history collection and will also result in an exhibition.   The exhibition will initially be based at the Gunnersbury Park Museum and tour within the boroughs.

Ealing's Cabinet member for Regeneration, Cllr Liz Brookes, said "It is important for the museum service to recognise the diversity of our communities in its collections and not lose the record of their contribution to our society. This project is a means of highlighting the experiences of our South Asian community and in doing so, will hopefully give an impetus to collecting from all communities in the two boroughs."

The Museum is interested to hear from organisations, schools and individuals who wish to contribute with their stories and experiences, relevant objects or photographs to donate to this valuable archive. If you would like further information or to discuss how you can become more involved please contact Hema Raull - Community Outreach Officer, Gunnersbury Park Museum on 020 8992 1612 or via email at gp.museum@cip.org.uk .