Community heritage

The interior of a 1950s hairdresser's shop. A visitor is having their hair styled by a stylist in vintage clothing. A child sits in a high chair next to the visitor.

Visiting the 1950s hairdresser at Beamish Museum. Credit: Nigel Roddis

Celebrating community heritage can help people come together, feel pride in where they live and save stories and traditions.

Since 1994 we have awarded £460million to more than 24,100 community and cultural heritage projects across the UK.

What do we support?

We fund projects that are researching, conserving and celebrating the heritage of a community or place.

These projects could include lots of types of heritage, such as people celebrating living customs or improving a historic green space. What's most important is that the project involves and benefits the community.

Project ideas

Our funding could help people:

research the impact of a historical event on their town, and share their findings through displays, talks and online
investigate the names on a war memorial
crowdsource documents and photographs linked to the LGBTQ+ community, creating an online archive and exhibition
set up an audio trail around a range of buildings, parks and monuments in a town
enable a youth group to research their local history and create an animated film about their learnings

For more inspiration, see the stories below or browse projects we've funded.

How to get funding

If you have an idea for a project, we would love to hear from you.

Explore our available funding

People dancing as part of a cultural festival at the Birmingham Commonwealth games

Videos

Inspiration for your heritage project

Engagement Manager Debbie Cooper explores what 'heritage' can mean and shares examples of projects we've funded in the Midlands & East of England.

Blogs

How ‘small’ grants can make a big impact for communities

Our Director of Wales marks St David’s Day by reflecting on how the wisdom of the Welsh patron saint can bring communities closer to their heritage.

01/03/2022

The left side of the image shows a traditional Traveller wagon, painted with decorative designs, and the right side of the image shows a man leading a pony and trap which a girl is riding

The project held an outdoor fair-style event in June 2023.

Projects

Roma and Irish Travellers: A Shared Story

People from different cultures and backgrounds came together for workshops and celebration events about Roma and Irish Traveller cultural heritage organised by Armagh Roma Traveller Support.

27/02/2023

Three musicians with guitars and an accordion and four women dancers wearing traditional Eastern European dress.

Romane Cierhenia are a family group of Roma musicians and dancers from Poland.

Projects

Roma Empowerment Through Heritage

This pilot project trained volunteers including young Roma people to record heritage and ran a Roma cultural heritage festival.

29/07/2021

A historic black and white photograph of a group of Traveller people with infants selling flowers

Traveller flower sellers in the New Forest in the late 1800s. Photo: New Forest Gypsy Traveller.

News

How we’re helping to save the heritage of community traditions and ways of life

To mark Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month we’re celebrating how our funding has been used to ensure living heritage continues to thrive.

11/06/2024

People standing in front of a ceramic mural that spells out the words Strong Women

Participants of the Strong Women project with the mural in St Helens.

Projects

Celebrating the social history of women through public art

The Strong Women project aims to capture the untold stories of women in St Helens and Knowsley and celebrate their contributions through street murals.

11/04/2023

Four people pose with leaflets behind large letters spelling 'Belfast' surrounded by foliage and props

Stella Byrne, our Head of Investment for Northern Ireland, is pictured second from right at the launch of Belfast 2024. Photo: Philip Magowan / Press Eye.

News

We’re supporting Belfast 2024’s year of culture and creativity

Ten projects taking place across the capital are providing opportunities for people to be creative and get involved with heritage as part of a city-wide celebration.

13/05/2024

A group of young people perform an Indian classical dance called Bharatanatyam.

Performers at the Global Roots Festival organised by Knowsley Young Producers.

Blogs

How targeted support has helped Knowsley's heritage thrive

As Knowsley celebrates its 50th birthday, our Engagement Manager, Shanna Lennon, highlights how heritage is thriving in the borough.

13/05/2024

A group of people with handmade props and decorations

Act for Action CIC, recipients of a community heritage grant from One Knowsley.

Projects

Supporting people in Knowsley to explore their heritage

The Knowsley Golden Thread project will champion inclusivity and enable groups, organisations and local communities to drive their involvement in heritage.

22/01/2024

a photo of David Sheppeard sitting outside against a glass wall. David has white skin, short brown hair and wears a dark shirt

David Sheppeard. Photo: Rosie Powell.

Blogs

Queer Heritage South: what we’ve learned about running LGBTQ+ heritage projects

Artist and producer David Sheppeard shares reflections and advice from his experiences working with heritage.

24/04/2024

a ruined stone windmill building in the countryside

The ruins of a windmill dominate Saintfield Community Heritage Park.

Projects

Transforming Saintfield’s Windmill Field into a community heritage park

A National Lottery windfall for Saintfield Community Association will provide much needed free-to-access green space in the historic County Down village.

08/03/2022

Museums and Heritage sign at the awards ceremony

News

Six organisations shortlisted for Sustainable Project of the Year 2024

The Museums + Heritage Awards have announced the shortlist for the sustainability category. Discover how these projects are demonstrating best practice.

14/03/2024

A large artwork of the moon hanging in Ely Cathedral

Museum of the Moon by Luke Jerram is 6m in diameter and shows the moon’s surface using stunning NASA imagery. Credit: James Billings.

Stories

Discover the pioneering woman scientist who mapped the moon

Mary Blagg is being celebrated by her hometown with activities to get people interested in her story and scientific heritage.

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