Aim To make the stories about former long-stay institutions available to a wider audience, preserve the history and improve societal attitudes to people with learning disabilities.

Method Three groups of people with links to the institution were interviewed using a semi-structured approach (n=40). Participants were asked why they felt it was important to tell their story.

Findings Responses were organised under three themes: being heard, preservation and education. A range of motivations exists for why people choose or conversely choose not to participate in oral history projects.

Conclusion Having knowledge and understanding of these factors can help potential researchers to recruit and retain those whose stories are a vital link between the past and the future.