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.
![An older and younger participant at a workshop](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/lowestoft-folk-hildesley-court.jpg.webp?itok=uYXCBalV)
Projects
Lowestoft Folk: bridging generations
This intergenerational project collaborated with two museums and their dedicated volunteers to delve into local folk heritage.
Projects
On track to tell the community’s stories of a Highland railway station
Blair Atholl station opened in 1863, as the development of rail travel opened up the Highlands to visitors and created new opportunities for local people.
![Two paper lanterns in the shape of houses in an outdoor parade](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/the_common_lot_mile_cross_house_lanterns.jpg.webp?itok=t2i4JNnI)
Projects
The Common Lot's Living Heritage in Mile Cross
Community memories were gathered and shared to celebrate the centenary of England's oldest purpose-built social housing estate, Mile Cross in Norwich.
![The Peacemakers Museum A computer-generated image of the new Peacemakers Museum exterior](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/new_gasyard_image_for_name_release_campaign.jpg.webp?itok=UVKVEsrB)
Projects
New Peacemakers Museum explores community journey from conflict to peace
A new community heritage museum is set to open at the Gasyard Centre in Spring 2024.
![3) A visitor using a mobility scooter in the Wellbeing Garden at RHS Garden Wisley](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/3._press-rhs_garden_wisley_119.jpg.webp?itok=BaPdSs0P)
Stories
RHS Garden Wisley elevates accessibility and participation through collaborative initiatives
![A black and white group photo of about 30 people. The front row of people are using wheelchairs, with others standing on steps behind them.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/ndacaheaton1.4120160224web_copy.jpg.webp?itok=nheUrlAe)
Blogs
Sharing radical heritage demands a radical approach
![Delia Derbyshire working in the BBC Radiographic Workshop A black and white photograph of Delia creating electronic music.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/delia-derbyshire.jpg.webp?itok=EEms0rjX)
Stories
Celebrating the music pioneer Delia Derbyshire on Doctor Who's 60th anniversary
![Hibiscus Rising sculpture A colourful sculpture of an hibiscus flower](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/hibiscus-rising-ellen-hunter.jpg.webp?itok=YplMb9Ue)
Projects
Hibiscus Rising: celebrating cultural heritage inspired by the legacy of David Oluwale
A community engagement programme will accompany a public artwork, Hibiscus Rising, created by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA to honour David Oluwale.
![The Delia Derbyshire Day team A group of people stand together with the Delia Derbyshire collections](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/delia_derbyshire_day-_whole_team_2023_copy_credit_shirlaine_forrest.jpg.webp?itok=E7QQuSAO)
Projects
Delia Derbyshire Day: a celebration of an electronic music pioneer
This project is engaging young people with the unique heritage of early electronic music by marking 60 years of Doctor Who.
Stories
Five tips for more robust and innovative heritage organisations
![Ted, owner of Etty & Tyler along with his sons Ted at his shop in Forest Gate](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/042_et_1_0.jpg.webp?itok=yU5ejCCm)
Projects
Full Cycle: a history of cycling in Forest Gate
This project will look at the cycling history of Forest Gate in Newham – an important cycling epicentre in the late 19th century close to Epping Forest.
![Life-sized statue of a woman in a small, landscaped garden](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Henrietta%20Lacks%27%20statue%20at%20UoB.pdf__0.jpg.webp?itok=LGLKu6xL)
Stories