This blog is written by Aimey Stevens, the recipent of a bursary place to our 2025 conference ‘Safeguarding Future History: Meeting the Challenge of Records at Risk’, which took place on 4th November 2025.
I was very excited to attend the British Records Association Annual Conference this year in London as a Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager apprentice, with support from the bursary. I was particularly interested in attending because of the theme Records at Risk, and the programme was full of practical and inspiring examples. By attending, I hoped to build my knowledge and confidence in this area to support both my learning and professional development helping me to connect what I am studying in my apprenticeship with real world practices and challenges in the sector.
One of the sessions I was most excited about was Saving Homotopia’s Video Archive. I have always been fascinated by film and audiovisual archives, and this talk really resonated with me. I am currently working on a filmmaker’s collection in my role, and I also have a background in film production, which first inspired my interest in archives. It was fascinating to hear how the Re-Dock artist collective worked to safeguard the Homotopia material, and what their experience can teach those of us managing similar collections.
Another highlight for me was the session led by Richard Wiltshire and Gillian Staples on The Crisis Management Team in Action: Saving the Debenhams Archives for the Nation. I found this talk particularly inspiring because it showcased how collaboration, quick thinking, and professional dedication can make a tangible difference in protecting at risk business archives. It was encouraging to see how archivists can come together to respond to crises and ensure that important records and the stories they tell are not lost.
I was also really looking forward to the networking opportunities the conference offered. Being based in the North West, it was fantastic to travel further afield and meet professionals and recordkeepers from across different regions. Conversations throughout the day helped me gain new perspectives and ideas, and I came away feeling more connected to the wider archival community. It was a really valuable experience as I left feeling inspired, more informed about records at risk, and motivated to continue developing my skills as I progress through my apprenticeship. And the buffet lunch was lovely!