What matters to you most about the UK’s heritage? Perhaps it’s the upkeep of a much-loved historic park or the secure future of a local museum? Perhaps it’s your local church, an important old building or a precious landscape you feel might need help?

With an annual awards budget of £300m to allocate from 2013, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is asking people across the UK about what is important to them and how HLF money should be invested in the future.

Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of HLF, said: “As a Lottery funder awarding money raised by Lottery players, HLF believes people are at the heart of sustaining heritage in good condition and our money should make a difference for both heritage and communities. In our public questionnaire, we’re asking people for their personal views on what we fund and what we might do differently, as well as asking about people’s local heritage. We can only devise the very best strategy by listening closely to all those people who are enthusiastic about the UK’s heritage.”

Public consultation page.  The deadline for completing the public consultation questionnaire is 26 April 2011.  

The HLF story so far
The money that HLF has invested already has helped make a real difference to heritage and people. During the past 16 years, HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects allocating over £4.5bn across the UK. HLF has invested in every part of our varied heritage, from museums, archives, places of worship and historic parks to archaeology, wildlife and nature conservation and cultural traditions, languages and dialects.

In addition to helping people to get involved in their heritage, HLF investment has helped create jobs, attracted tourists and contributed to economic regeneration. HLF projects have given local people the chance to develop a range of new skills and train as volunteers, which is both fun and rewarding.     

Public responses will feed into HLF’s new five-year plan which is currently being prepared for launch in 2012.

Notes to editors

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.  HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects allocating £4.5bn across the UK.

Shaping the future – for heritage, for everyone
Have your say – HLF’s three-month consultation on the future of Lottery funding for heritage. To respond to the consultation and to view the video by 26 April 2011. 

There are two questionnaires available on-line. If you work within the heritage sector or community organisations in a professional capacity and would like to contribute to the full consultation, please fill in longer questionnaire. If you are a member of the public and wish to express your personal views on HLF funding in the future, please fill in the less detailed public questionnaire.

Further information

Katie Owen or Alison Scott, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6036/6032. Out of hours mobile on 07973 613820.