Community heritage

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

Outside in the stunning setting of Glencoe

News

£1.4million to transform the Highlands’ Glencoe Folk Museum

The community-run museum is set to enhance its visitor experience and bring the village of Glencoe’s unique heritage alive for current and future generations.

16/01/2023

Two paper lanterns in the shape of houses in an outdoor parade

The Mile Cross estate in Norwich turned 100 years old in 2023.

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.

17/02/2022

The Peacemakers Museum.

Projects

New Peacemakers Museum explores community journey from conflict to peace

A new community heritage museum has opened at the Gasyard Centre in Spring 2024.

26/11/2019

Four-wheel-drive ‘Tramper’ scheme, launching at Parc Cefn Onn in 2023

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.

24/06/2014

Ardal O’Hanlon presents the An Tobar team with their National Lottery Award. Credit: Bill Smyth Photography.

News

An Tobar is Northern Ireland’s National Lottery Project of the Year

The wellness centre and social farm in Silverbridge, south Armagh has won a National Lottery award for helping young people explore the natural and cultural heritage of Brian’s Wood.

07/12/2022

Bank Hall in Bretherton, Lancashire

News

Lancashire’s Bank Hall restored to former glory

Thanks to National Lottery support, the Grade II* listed Bank Hall has completed its extraordinary renovation journey and can welcome visitors to explore its heritage.

06/12/2022

A woman's hands holding a cassette tape. She has bangles on her wrists and is wearing a red cardigan.

For some, cassettes were a way to keep in touch Maryam Wahid

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.

25/10/2022

St John's Church, Worksop

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.

13/10/2022

Groups of older people sitting eating at tables at the Migration Museum

Elders Day event at the Migration Museum. Credit: Eve Wright

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.

13/10/2022

Obby Oss folk culture costume from Minehead festival. Includes multicolour brightly coloured ribbon and materials.

Obby Oss folk culture costume from Minehead festival. Credit: Centre for Fashion Curation

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.

07/09/2022

Image of disabled person in 1990s, protesting with plaque saying public transport means me too

Activist Keith Armstrong in the 1990s, campaigning for accessible public transport. Credit: Shape Arts

News

Creating an archive for historic disability rights movement

Disability-led arts charity Shape Arts will showcase the movement's rich heritage and personal stories – coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act in 2025.

02/12/2022

Two people wearing scarlet Chelsea Pensioners' uniform open stable doors at Royal Chelsea Hospital, London with historic building and courtyard behind

Opening the main stable doors for work to begin on the three-year project. Pictured left to right: Chelsea Pensioners, James Little, BEM and Carol Knight. Grainge Photography

News

Chelsea Pensioners’ Stable Block to open doors for the first time

A new grant will allow the Royal Hospital Chelsea to publicly open part of its building for the first time, enabling visitors to learn more about its unique history.

09/11/2022

Community heritage

Community heritage

What do we support?

Project ideas

How to get funding

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