Community heritage
![Visiting the 1950s hairdresser at Beamish Museum. Credit: Nigel Roddis 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.](/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_desktop/public/media/imgs/Visiting%20the%201950s%20hairdresser%20at%20Beamish%20Museum%20credit%20Nigel%20Roddis%202.jpg.webp?itok=9ra5SSfo)
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.
![Identities & Stories - Caribbean Takeaway Takeover people in cafe](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/CTT%20-%20image%20visitors.jpg.webp?itok=i4zpXuW5)
Projects
Caribbean takeaway and oral histories shared
The stories of 10 Caribbean elders from the Windrush generation, who arrived in the UK between the 1940s and 1960s, have been recorded and shared for the first time.
![Queer Britain at the Salisbury Playhouse: LGBTQ+ video testimonies - Her Naked Skin Queer Britain at the Salisbury Playhouse: LGBTQ+ video testimonies - Her Naked Skin](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/1_1.jpg.webp?itok=a0ScTt1Y)
Projects
Queer Britain at the Salisbury Playhouse
Queer Britain created an online film archive featuring women who have made a difference.
![The Zebedee Troupers explore wartime disability Three young people in war era clothing](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/image00001%204%20cropped.jpg.webp?itok=XBDxUuM8)
Projects
Young people with disabilities explored disability stories from the First World War
For the Zebedee Troupers – Abled Not DISabled project, young people with disabilities discovered the role disabled people played during the two world wars.
![Women working in Carr's biscuit factory Women wearing uniforms, stood at tables in a factory, making biscuits.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/carr-s-biscuit-factory-505677_0.jpg.webp?itok=FDVXAN-i)
Projects
Celebrating the Spirit of the Cracker Packers
This inspiring community heritage project explores the fascinating lives of Carlisle’s ‘Cracker Packers’ through the ages.
![Uncovered: Barnsley's LGBT Past Launch of Barnsley's LGBT History trail](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/uncoveredproject_barnsley.jpg.webp?itok=u-KsUm0b)
Projects
Uncovered: Barnsley's LGBT Past
Barnsley LGBT forum have uncovered previously untold histories to create a digital education pack, documentary and local history trail.
Projects
Risk Takers and History Makers - Celebrating the voices of the Women of Bedford
The stories of four Bedford women were celebrated with workshops and an exhibition.
![Kashmiri Lives Booklets displayed in a glass display case at an exhibition](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/getattachmentthumbnail_0.jpg.webp?itok=shcGZ69f)
Projects
Kashmiri Lives
Recording the culture of the Kashmiri community in Greater Manchester through the collection of memories.
![Celebrating the 50th anniversary of being legal to be gay in Doncaster Celebrating the 50th anniversary of being legal to be gay in Doncaster](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/img_7206.jpg.webp?itok=j0Ljp38E)
Projects
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of being legal to be gay in Doncaster
During the 50th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act in 1967 which partially decriminalised homosexuality, the local Doncaster LGBT+ community have shared their experiences over the years in a poignant film.
Projects
No Man’s Land – young people uncover women’s viewpoints on the First World War
By exploring beyond nursing, young people from Bradford have discovered the range of women’s experiences and contributions in the First World War to create an inspiring publication.
![Transforming Service: Transforming Lives - the history of North Tyneside Art Studio Production of 'Colouring the Shadows'](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/nt_art_studio.jpg.webp?itok=vTYWEZYe)
Projects
Transforming Lives - the history of North Tyneside Art Studio
A mental health organisation and its service users marked its 25th anniversary through a year of creative activities and research.
![From Parks to Pavilions: The history of the first Asian cricket league in Yorkshire Boys work on a heritage project](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/yorkshire-cricket.jpg.webp?itok=YYa0MbYI)
Projects
From Parks to Pavilions: The history of the first Asian cricket league in Yorkshire
Young people took leading roles to share the story of Yorkshire’s first Asian cricket leagues.
![Winlaton's Industrial PastPrimary tabs Members of the group during film production](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/winlaton_2_0.jpg.webp?itok=evLU36sF)
Projects
Winlaton's Industrial Past
Trained volunteers supported people with learning disabilities to explore the industrial and social history of Winlaton in Gateshead.