New book celebrates the diverse stories of Oxford Road

A new book titled, Lifespring Stories: The Many Faces of Oxford Road, captures the rich and diverse experiences of a vibrant community in Reading.

Often called ‘The United Nations of Reading’, Oxford Road is home to over 72 languages. The book captures the unique ways this community has been shaped by migration, cultural exchange, and urban development, featuring voices that are under-represented in traditional research.

The stories in the book were gathered through interviews, photographs, and personal memories shared by residents, businesses, and visitors. These accounts reflect the daily challenges and triumphs of those who live, work and pass through Oxford Road, illustrating the area’s rich multicultural history and the resilience of its community.

From struggles of migration and homelessness to tales of food, language, and culture, Lifespring Stories highlights the power of storytelling as a tool for social change, drawing attention to issues of socioeconomic inequality and community identity.

This Oxford Road Stories initiative began in 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, with funding from Reading Borough Council as part of Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone, which supports the regeneration of historic streets like Oxford Road. It was led by University of Reading researchers Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles (Community Research Associate in Human Geography) and PhD candidate Robyn Woronka.

Building trust and breaking down barriers

During the book’s launch on 16 October at the Pavilion on Oxford Road, home to the Lifespring Church, Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles highlighted the central role of the research participants, saying: "This book is truly for the people, created by the people.

“The most important part of research is always the participants—they are the key. Today, we’ve heard how this experience has impacted them, and that’s what makes it so special".

She also highlighted the importance of making the book accessible, saying: “There’s no academic language in it—anyone can read it, whether they're in primary school, secondary school, or if English isn’t their first language.

“We wanted it to be an international book, something that shines a spotlight on Reading and its incredible community”.

She went on to reflect on the project’s significance, noting that it is a testament to building trust and collaboration between communities, organisations and institutions, a process that requires time and dedication.

The Pavilion played a significant role in the project, hosting events and discussions that allowed residents to share their experiences in a safe and welcoming space.

Jackie Jackson, Community Development Manager at Lifespring Church and a participant in the project, spoke passionately about the impact the project had on those involved: "The ethical considerations and respectful research process made participants feel valued. This experience was so validating and affirming for them.

“Many of them have powerful stories to tell, but they’ve never felt their stories were worth sharing. Seeing them finally feel recognised has been the most rewarding part for me".

Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans, Public Engagement with Community Research Fellow, said: "The work we do aims to break down barriers between communities and institutions and embed the hopes and needs of the community into how we think about Reading as a place to live and work.

“I hope this is the first of many projects that will help us shape the future of our town, tackle the tough issues we’ve heard about today, and ensure Reading is a place where everyone feels they belong. It’s incredible to see what we can achieve when we work together, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us next".

The Lifespring Stories book and its accompanying online exhibitions, hosted by Reading Museum, aim to preserve the legacy of Oxford Road’s residents and ensure that their voices are heard for generations to come.

The book launch celebrations included talks from researchers, participants and key partners as well as poetry readings, drumming, singing and homemade cakes—symbolic of the community spirit that has driven this project from the start.

For more information about the Oxford Road Stories project, visit Reading Museum’s online exhibition and the project’s research website. The book is available as an open-access publication, which can be downloaded here.

Book reference: Mpofu-Coles, A., Woronka, R., Bishop, C. and Hewson, O. (2024) Lifespring stories: the many faces of Oxford Road, Reading Town, United Kingdom. University of Reading, Reading, UK. ISBN 9780704916142 DOI: https://doi.org/10.48683/1926.00118420

Image: The project leaders and writers of Lifespring Stories photographed with the Mayor of Reading at the book’s launch on 16 October. From left to right: Robin Woronka, Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans, Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles, Priya Hunt, Mayor Glenn Dennis, Maisie Crittenden and Aparna Das.