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.
Projects
‘Into the garden and beyond’ – improving visitor access to Parc Cefn Onn
A £454,000 grant is enabling people to enjoy improved access to the Grade II listed historic park in Cardiff.
![Three people hold an award](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/An%20Tobar%20National%20Lottery%20Award%20winners%20Heritage%20Fund.jpg.webp?itok=I3wqmRIW)
News
An Tobar is Northern Ireland’s National Lottery Project of the Year
![Bank Hall in Bretherton, Lancashire The exterior of Bank Hall in Bretherton, Lancashire](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Bank%20Hall%20.jpg.webp?itok=LI5BUwUz)
News
Lancashire’s Bank Hall restored to former glory
![Tape Letters_photographer_Maryam Wahid A woman's hands holding a cassette tape. She has bangles on her wrists and is wearing a red cardigan.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/tape_letters_photographer_maryam_wahid.png.webp?itok=p4J0floH)
Projects
Uncovering the history of long-distance communication for migrants in Scotland
While many were using audio cassettes to listen to their favourite mixtape, for some South Asians in Scotland they were essential for communicating with their family.
![A stone church with a spire, in a town](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/St%20Johns%20Church%20worksop%20copy_0.jpg.webp?itok=pOML1lKm)
Projects
St John's Church pairs spire repair with Worksop community activities
An eco church in Nottinghamshire is making urgent repairs to their spire, inviting the local community to engage with the church’s heritage, and creating a social isolation café.
![Groups of older people sitting eating at tables at the Migration Museum](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/credit-evewright-elders_day-migrationmuseum.jpg.webp?itok=bviTzrxt)
Projects
Connecting Lewisham to its Migration Heritage
This 18-month project explores and shares the history of migration to the UK, in particular the stories of people who settled in Lewisham.
Projects
Making Mischief: the living heritage of folk costume in Britain
This collaborative project aims to document the colourful, community-based celebrations of Britain's folk heritage and bring it to life at two exhibitions.
![Image of disabled person in 1990s, protesting with plaque saying public transport means me too Image of disabled person in 1990s, protesting with plaque saying public transport means me too](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/2%20Keith%20on%20demontrations%20in%20the%201990s%20postard%20version%20IMG_4006.jpeg.webp?itok=ZPRX0Qhn)
News
Creating an archive for historic disability rights movement
![Two people wearing scarlet Chelsea Pensioners' uniform open stable doors at Royal Chelsea Hospital, London Two people wearing scarlet Chelsea Pensioners' uniform open stable doors at Royal Chelsea Hospital, London with historic building and courtyard behind](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Royal%20Chelsea%20Hospital%20Heritage%20Fund%20Grant_See%20Caption_2_GraingePhotography.jpg.webp?itok=EhIqptX1)
News
Chelsea Pensioners’ Stable Block to open doors for the first time
![Three musicians perform](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Culture%20Asia%20Heritage%20Fund.jpg.webp?itok=Kzf6Glaj)
News
Smaller grants making a big difference for Scottish communities
Projects
The World Reimagined: Journey of Discovery
A vibrant art education project aiming to transform understanding of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its significant global impact.
![Nish Kumar performing at Union Chapel in front of pulpit and Live at the chapel LED sign Nish Kumar performing at Union Chapel in front of pulpit and Live at the chapel LED sign](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Live%20At%20The%20Chapel%20September_Mark%20Dawson%20Photography_DSC9716%20Nish%20Kumar%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=OpsRrkfN)
News