Digital Archivist – Freelance Opportunity

Chol Theatre are celebrating the life and achievements of Ella Hudson-Gasking and are seeking an experienced Digital Archivist to document and preserve the outcomes of this exciting heritage project.

From 1913, Ella was director of food giant Batchelors’, building the world’s largest pea-canning factory in Wadsley Bridge and blazing a trail for female entrepreneurs.

We have brought together a group of women with connections to Batchelors. With expert guidance, Ella’s Archive Group will lead research into the female workforce of the time. The project has captured recollections of working conditions, camaraderie, and factory life – nurturing a sense of pride, belonging, and wellbeing.

The resulting materials, oral histories and archival research, will contribute to:

• A multidisciplinary exhibition (Summer 2025)
• A digital ‘Imaginary Museum Playbox’, a creative educational resource for 25 local schools
  

Role Responsibilities:

• Collate and organise all project materials, including meeting minutes and notebooks, into a structured digital archive
• Digitise Batchelors’ archive materials and capture images documenting the project process
• Liaise with Sheffield Archives to ensure all research and materials are preserved and archived to professional standards
• Contribute to project planning and evaluation meetings with the Chol team, associate artists, archives, and Ella’s Archive Group
  

Fee: £1,000
Deadline to Apply:Monday 9th June
Work to be completed by: End of July 2025

How to Apply
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and levels of experience working in heritage or archival work. Please apply in one of the following ways:

• Written statement (max 1 page) – Tell us why you’re interested in the role and what experience you bring.
• Short video or audio recording (2–3 minutes max) – A chance to introduce yourself and your relevant experience in your own voice.
• CV or portfolio – Optional, but helpful if you’d like to share past projects or relevant roles.

Please send your application to carly@wearechol.co.uk by Monday 9 June 2025.

If you require the brief in another format or need support to apply, please contact Jess – jess@wearechol.co.uk