This engaging educational resource was originally developed by Age Concern Doncaster, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It draws on a rich collection of recorded oral history interviews, capturing the lived experiences and personal memories of former miners and their families in Doncaster between 1901 and 1985.

Each slide explores a different aspect of life as a miner, offering students valuable insight into the social, cultural, and working conditions within mining communities. Through authentic voices and first-hand accounts, the resource brings history to life, enabling learners to connect with the past in a meaningful and human way.

Ideal for use in History, PSHE, or Citizenship lessons, this resource supports exploration of themes such as community, identity, resilience, and the impact of industry on everyday life. It can be used flexibly: as a full lesson presentation, a stimulus for discussion, or as an independent or group-based enquiry activity.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the key features of life and work in a mining community in Doncaster (1901–1985)
• To analyse and interpret oral history as a primary source of evidence
• To explore how industrial work shaped family life, community identity, and social conditions
• To develop empathy by engaging with real-life experiences and personal testimonies
• To evaluate the impact of the mining industry on individuals and communities over time