Target age range: Key Stage 3

This enquiry for Key Stage 3 students focuses on similarity and difference in workers’ experiences in sharply contrasting outposts of Lever Brothers – today part of Unilever, one of the world’s largest multinationals. Students will examine different aspects of the economic concept of labour, describing and suggesting reasons for differences and similarities between Port Sunlight, in Merseyside, and Leverville, in what was the Belgian Congo. The enquiry provides an accessible introduction to a nuanced, complicated part of history, through a commodity – palm oil – and a local case study (particularly for those in the North West).

This enquiry was written by Joe Cauldwell TFHA, History Subject Lead at The Mosslands School , Wirral. Joe’s work has been awarded the Economic History Society's Teaching Prize for 2026.

We would particularly like to acknowledge Port Sunlight Village Trust for their support in the development of this enquiry and the accompanying resources.

Every effort has been made to trace all image copyright holders and permissions in these resources, although occasionally it has not been possible to identify them. Please contact Maheema Chanrai at maheema.chanrai@history.org.uk with any queries.

Image: Images from Port Sunlight Museum’s collection (used with permission)