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.
Blogs
A missing voice - the young person in the museum
As well as helping to bring young people into the museum, technology provides a new way for them to think about their place within it.
Blogs
Let’s talk about young people and heritage
This year marks the 25th Birthday of The National Lottery. At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we have a long history of funding heritage projects with children and young people. Since 2002 t hrough Young Roots, and more recently Kick the Dust, an ambitious £10million programme to transform how
Blogs
Young people celebrate important figures of Wales' LGBT+ history
Holly Morgan-Davies from National Museum Wales' Hands on Heritage project writes about the fascinating stories she's discovered from Wales' LGBT+ past.
News
Remembering the Peterloo Massacre – 200 years on
In 1819, more than 60,000 people from across Greater Manchester gathered in St Peter’s Field to protest for justice, the right to vote and freedom from oppression. Despite their peaceful means, the day was to end bloodshed. While the crowds listened to renowned orator Henry Hunt’s address, local
Blogs
Teen Digital Takeover: getting young people into museums
Today is the Kids in Museums Teen Digital Takeover: when young people take over the social media accounts of museums, galleries and heritage sites across the UK. The 2018 Audience Agency Museums Audience Report identifies 16-24 year-olds as one of four key museum audiences. However, it also
Stories
Helping all young people get hands on with nature
We spent a day in Sydenham Hill Wood, south London, where theories about wellbeing are guiding young people's interactions with our wild places.
Blogs
Why communities are essential to sharing the stories of Pride
These significant and inclusive events raise the profile of all sorts of LGBT+ lived experiences, celebrate activism and build stronger alliances. They increasingly involve people of all ages, cultures and faiths in publicly sharing differing identities. Alongside Stonewall’s 50th anniversary this
A blog by Rosie Gibson, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Social Media Manager
Blogs
Ways to meaningfully involve young people in heritage
We believe involving young people in heritage projects is vital - but it can be tricky. Here are some ideas.
Stories
Changing lives: St Fagan's course helps Tom beat anxiety
Tilly the dog helps Tom Jenkin tackle his anxiety. But it was a National Lottery-funded lambing course which gave him the confidence to aim for a career as a vet.
Stories
Changing lives: volunteering helps Ben turn away from trouble
The youth club at the Galley Centre offered the young people of Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, a reason to keep off the streets and out of trouble. But when bored teenagers, including some of 17-year-old Ben's friends, vandalised the centre, the youth club was closed down. It left them with nothing to do
Stories
Changing lives: Jade's journey from care to college
In her 22 years, Jade has experienced more hardship than most people encounter in a lifetime. Born to a heroin addict mother, Jade spent most of her childhood in the care system. Asked about the happy times in her childhood, Jade is unequivocal: the years living with her grandma in Trimdon village.