Island City Voices

Pompey Poetry Party proudly supports new documentary series,  Island City Voices.  The concept has been developed by local journalist and video producer Habib Shipu Rahman to enable the people of Portsmouth an opportunity to explore the importance of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of communities. 

Starring Pompey Poetry Party co-ordinator Caroline Brennan as presenter, we hope to bring together individuals from all walks of life to share their stories, struggles and visions for the future. 

@islandcity.uk is a unique way of sharing people's stories through an imagined phone call using an old diner phone. Residents of Portsmouth are invited to have their call recorded on video, leaving a message for someone they know or knew, or would like to know. 

The project was based on the idea of a Japanese wind phone; an unconnected telephone which allows those grieving to find comfort by leaving a message to lost loved ones. The phones invite the living to pick up the receiver and continue unfinished conversations, to recall happier times or to offer life's updates.  Unlike a wind phone, the messages these callers will make do not necessarily have to be for someone who has died. It could be for an old flame, a future employer, even a former bully! Anyone!!!! 

At the end of the interview, we ask the caller if they would like to listen to someone else's recorded message. In doing so, they will then bring another person's story into the world.

Please do support us and check out the pilot when it airs over the next few weeks.

We are looking for new guest callers for the next phase of the documentary so if you have a story to share, please get in touch with habiur.rahman@thenews.co.uk