'Swindon's Heritage As Lived Experience' by Adeola Ojoawo

Dr. Ojoawo is a senior change, culture, and communication specialist with over a decade of experience leading transformation programs across the UK, Europe, and Africa. Holding a PhD alongside qualifications in Business Strategy and Leadership, she combines professional rigor with a human-centric approach. Her work focuses on how individuals and communities navigate change, utilizing her background in public relations and research to connect lived experiences with social history in a way that is insightful and accessible. This talk moves beyond Swindon’s physical landmarks and institutions to explore heritage through the lens of lived experience. Dr. Ojoawo will examine how the town’s identity has been shaped by everyday relationships, neighbourhood life, and the often-overlooked contributions of women and diverse communities. By highlighting the “unseen” networks of care and work that sustain the town, the session reveals how ordinary people create extraordinary heritage through resilience. The talk will connect these historical patterns of adaptation to the present day, offering lessons on how to navigate modern change. Delivered in a storytelling style, the session invites audience discussion and the sharing of collective memories.