Solidarity!  sign up here

Working Class Movement Library

The Working Class Movement Library (WCML) collection documents 200 years of political working-class campaigning, organising, collectivity, resistance, advocacy and is of international significance and scope. Click here to see their website. 

Young people are fairly absent from the WCML. Only aged  2.5% of visitors are aged 16-24. By conducting this research with young people we can hopefully make some changes that make the WCML a better resource for young people in Greater Manchester and beyond. The 


The Working Class Movement Library building. Image courtesy of WCML 2025.


What do you get out of being involved?

The opportunity to...
  • gain hands-on experience working with the WCML’s  archival collection
  • conduct your own research into an item from the library’s collection
  • put on an exhibition
  • meet like minded people 
  • have discussions about class and politics
  • contribute to the WCML archive 
  • have a say in how the WCML works with young people in the future 

All participants can claim £5 travel expenses
per session and will be eligible for an AQA award based
on participation. Drinks and snacks will be provided at
all sessions.


WCML archive stacks. Image courtesy of WCML 2025.
Solidarity! Project timeline

Step 1 - recruiting young people to be participants

Step 2 - getting to know the WCML, the collection, and each other! 

Step 3 - choosing and researching material from the WCML archive 

Step 4 - putting on an exhibition where we present the objects, the research, and the wider project to the public