Children and young people

Heritage has a crucial role to play in enriching the lives of children and young people, creating a more inclusive society.

Since 1994, we are proud to have invested over £60million across the UK in projects working with children and young people. This includes the £10m Kick the Dust programme.

We are committed to supporting greater inclusion, diversity, access and participation in heritage – including for younger generations. We know that children and young people can play a significant role in creating innovative and exciting heritage projects that speak to them.

Explore some of our work below and find inspiration for your project, then discover whether your idea is eligible for funding.

A group of young people arranging flowers and leaves on a white sheet

The Botanical Young Women of Hounslow project runs arts workshops to engage young people in heritage. Photo: Hounslow Action for Youth.

Stories

The extraordinary 18th-century women inspiring young people to embrace heritage

Hounslow Action for Youth is using the untold stories of Marina Dellap and Catharine MacCartney to help a new generation explore botanical history.

Two visitors use a smart phone to scan a QR code that unlocks additional interpretation and audio guides about the Scottish national collection.

Visitors use a smartphone to access digital guides during their visit. Credit: National Galleries of Scotland.

Stories

Reconnecting Scotland with its national collection

The National Galleries of Scotland has transformed the Scottish galleries in Edinburgh, with the needs of local – and global – audiences at the heart of the project.

Four young musicians stand together in a large room within Canada House, prior to the restoration.

Young musicians in Canada House, Sheffield. Credit: Vox Media.

Projects

Creating a music hub for Sheffield's next generation

27/01/2025

We have awarded £4.7million to transform Canada House, a Grade II* listed Sheffield landmark, into an innovative centre for music education and performance.

08/03/2023

Blogs

How to engage young and diverse audiences with your archives

Shjodi Ison shares her experiences of joining a Heritage Fund project as an apprentice, the positive impact of inclusive recruitment and how it has given clarity to her future.

03/09/2024

A group of people are in a studio taking part in a movement and dance workshop

Young people take part in a movement and performance workshop as part of the Catalyser learning programme. Photo: Hunter Gatherer.

Projects

Choreozone: Activating an Archive

Clod Ensemble is celebrating and sharing the lived experience of performance artists, improving access to the collections and inspiring a younger generation.

24/03/2023

Five young people standing in a row wearing matching T-shirts that say 'I am a force of nature'

Publications

Inclusive recruitment guide

Ten tips for designing and implementing recruitment practices to attract new and diverse talent to your organisation.

a parade in a town high street, one person holds up a sign with 'hope street' on it and a young person in a homemade mask shakes maracas

Publications

Kick the Dust programme evaluation: empowering young people in heritage

Our £10million pilot programme to make heritage relevant to people aged 11-25 has concluded after six years of achievements and learning.

Two people wearing Reimagine, Remake, Replay tshirts using filming equipment at an event

Reimagine, Remake, Replay is a Kick the Dust programme that ran in Northern Ireland.

Blogs

Techniques for supporting young people's wellbeing during heritage projects

How Kick the Dust projects worked to create high quality environments for participants.

05/03/2024

An older and younger participant at a workshop

Suffolk Artlink brought people from different generations together.

Projects

Lowestoft Folk: bridging generations

This intergenerational project collaborated with two museums and their dedicated volunteers to delve into local folk heritage.

19/09/2017

an older man wearing blue overalls in a bicycle repair shop

Edward Ernest Etty, also known as Ted, is the focus of a cycling heritage project sharing over 70 years of his experience. Credit: Andrew Baker Photographer.

News

Celebrate your heritage champions for Heritage Treasures Day 2024

We’re kicking off our 30th birthday year by shining a spotlight on heritage leaders and people who make heritage projects possible, and we’re encouraging you to join in.

11/01/2024