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.

Ardal O’Hanlon presents the An Tobar team with their National Lottery Award. Credit: Bill Smyth Photography.

News

An Tobar is Northern Ireland’s National Lottery Project of the Year

The wellness centre and social farm in Silverbridge, south Armagh has won a National Lottery award for helping young people explore the natural and cultural heritage of Brian’s Wood.

07/12/2022

Museum of Youth image showing a person looking at a record player in a display

Looking at record player display at Museum of Youth Culture. Credit: Museum of Youth Culture.

Projects

Object Lessons: Youth Culture Takes Shape

This project will create a digital archive of some fascinating cultural objects that ‘celebrate a century of teenage life in Britain’.

13/10/2022

Culture Asia performance

News

Smaller grants making a big difference for Scottish communities

Six exciting projects in Scotland have secured £378,640 National Lottery funding to make a difference for people and heritage.

28/10/2022

A family of two adults and a young child in the grounds of St Fagans Museum

Publications

Understanding how we can be a more inclusive and equitable funder

Explore the findings from our independent research examining perspectives on heritage, inclusion and barriers to accessing our funding.

Young people standing in nature with gardening tools

Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire & Merseyside Young Apprentices: (from left to right) Samuel Gibson, Billy Hunt, Sam Phillips and Mia Francis. Credit: Mark Waugh

News

Investing in work placements for young people in natural heritage

We’re partnering with Groundwork UK to deliver paid, nature-based work placements for young people – diversifying the sector and creating a natural legacy to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

20/07/2022

Ignite Yorkshire's Cactus Crew JMA Photography

Stories

A revolution in industrial heritage

In our conversation with Marie Millward, Ignite Yorkshire project manager, we discuss how to move beyond "nostalgia" to engage young people with our industrial past.

Colourful handmade poster for the In Plain Sight project. Rainbows, flowers and an eye decorated with LGBTQ+ colours can be seen

Projects

In Plain Sight: A Story of Gwen Lally

This Bradford-based project will explore the history and traditions of Gwen Lally – a queer historical figure and the first woman pageant producer in England

19/05/2022

Blogs

A practical guide to more inclusive hiring

Our new Racial equity in nature toolkit can help organisations gain the tools and confidence to recruit and retain more diverse staff and volunteers.

05/05/2022

Pakiki Theatre group.

Projects

Who Wants To Be An Olympian?

Pakiki Theatre’s Who wants to be an Olympian? project explored the sporting heritage of the Olympics and Paralympics with young people in Newham.

09/02/2022

Person from Newham Music Trust performing

Credit: Newham Music Trust

Projects

Olympics 2012 Legacy Songbook

Newham Music Trust will create a music programme to help Newham’s schools explore the positive impact London 2012 had on the area.

09/02/2022

Three men leaning on railing, looking at each other

Minister for Heritage, Nigel Huddleston, at YHA Ironbridge Coalport with Manager and Deputy Manager Ben Platt (left) and Andrew Philipson (right).

News

Charity YHA awarded almost £1million from the Culture Recovery Fund

The organisation – which provides hostel stays and experiences to improve mental and physical wellbeing for young people – is receiving a financial boost to help it recover from the pandemic.

21/03/2022