Project Description
VJ Day 2025
The VJ Day 2025 community celebrations, funded by the National Lottery Awards for All and organised by Diversity House, marked the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day. The project aimed to commemorate the end of World War II in the Pacific, honour veterans and those who served, and bring the community together in a day of remembrance, celebration, and cultural unity.
Diversity House VJ Day 2025 structure—a three-month-long series of workshops and sessions that built up to two specific, large public celebration events—emphasises the depth and richness of this VJ Day commemoration. The blend of activities—including intergenerational storytelling workshops; creative arts and heritage sessions; cultural food and performance events; volunteer training and legacy building; information and support zone; and educational sessions with service users—shows a deep and varied approach to remembering and celebrating.
The two specific public events served as the big community focal points:
- Saturday, August 16th in Sittingbourne
- Friday, August 29th at the West Faversham Community Centre
The project successfully engaged approximately 670 participants across the two main events, with critical support from 29 volunteers who collectively dedicated an estimated 276 hours.
Despite facing adverse weather conditions at the West Faversham venue, the project team implemented effective contingency planning, successfully adapting the programme by relocating outdoor activities indoors to ensure complete continuity of the planned events.
Comprehensive evaluation data was systematically collected through a mixed-methods approach, utilizing surveys, short video interviews, direct observation, and focus groups. This data robustly demonstrated high levels of participant satisfaction, successful inclusive participation, and a demonstrable strengthening of community cohesion within the target population.
Furthermore, these culminating celebrations effectively leveraged the preparatory work conducted during the VE Day commemorations on May 9, 2025. This earlier engagement focused on historical education regarding World War II, cultural representation, skill-building workshops, and initial volunteer recruitment. This strategic continuity allowed Diversity House to progressively cultivate a strong sense of awareness, belonging, and successful intergenerational engagement in the lead-up to the VJ Day anniversary.