An initiative encouraging Holocaust survivors and refugees to document their stories has produced its first publications.

My Voice is a collaboration between Manchester welfare charity The Fed and the Association of Jewish Refugees.

Participants produce individual books, which also chart the lives they built for themselves after escaping or surviving Nazi persecution.

Volunteers serve as befrienders, transcribers, photographers, editors and designers.

Mark Adlestone, chairman of The Fed, welcomed participants, family members and the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Carl Austin-Behan, to a reception at the charity’s Heathlands Village to celebrate the project.

Ninety-four-year-old Kindertransport refugee Margit Cohen and her befriending volunteer Steph Roth spoke about the documenting process and read extracts from Ms Cohen’s book.

The Lord Mayor applauded the courage and dignity of participants, stressing the need for more Holocaust education for future generations.

Juliette Pearce, The Fed’s volunteer manager, noted that “time is of the essence. It is critically important to capture these stories and document them for eternity.

“We know there are more survivors and refugees out there who would benefit from giving voice to their stories. We would love to hear from them.”