John Sheridan, Chief Digital and Information Officer for The National Archives presented the award to Cllr Nadia Cenci, Cabinet Member for Communities and Judith Berry, Head of Suffolk Archives and The Hold.
Accreditation is the UK quality standard which recognises good performance in all areas of archive service delivery. Accredited Archive Services ensure the long-term collection, preservation and accessibility of our archive heritage.
Receiving it shows that Suffolk Archives, based at The Hold in Ipswich, has met clearly defined national standards relating to management and resourcing; the care of its unique collections and what the service offers to its entire range of users.
Cllr Nadia Cenci, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive Archive Service Accreditation. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our Suffolk Archives team, who work tirelessly to preserve, celebrate and share our county’s rich history. We are incredibly proud of the outstanding service they provide to our communities, and this recognition reflects the high standards, passion and commitment
that underpins the service.”
John Sheridan, Chief Digital and Information Officer for The National Archives said;
"Congratulations for your vision, commitment and determination that has allowed you to create this phenomenal facility. Archives matter. The records they hold tell us about where we've come from, they anchor us at a time of sometimes bewildering change.
"The three things that stood out for me was this is a living archive that's bringing new collections into its custody. You've created partnerships to digitise records and make them more widely available, to transmit records through time and through generations of technological change.
"Thirdly, this is an archive that knows that it needs to be used by its communities, whether it's through public engagement, outreach, or education. For you to reach and impact so many is an enormous credit to you all. This truly is an archive service that Suffolk can be proud of."
Suffolk Archives is the home to more than 900 years of local history. It collects, cares for, and shares the county’s stories through records that reflect Suffolk people’s lives, work, and heritage.
