Cultures and memories
These are the customs and traditions, skills and knowledge, passed down to us through generations.
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 which help to explore, save and celebrate the traditions, customs, skills and knowledge of different communities.
This cultural heritage is sometimes referred to as intangible or living heritage. This is because it is constantly changing and kept alive when practiced or performed.
We also fund projects which document and share people’s memories. This often involves capturing oral histories and ensuring they are accessible now and in the future.
Project ideas
Our funding could help people:
- research and share oral traditions, such as storytelling or local dialects
- train others in traditional skills and crafts, from dry stone walling and blacksmithing to basket weaving and textile making
- research the origins of culture, such as music, theatre or dance, and create performances influenced by past styles
- share the history and fun of celebrations, festivals or rituals with new audiences, from games and cooking to carnivals and fayres
- capture accounts of traditional knowledge or pass it on, such as woodland management or home remedies
- record the stories of ordinary people through oral histories, for example about growing up, migration or work
- retell people’s memories about a place or event, such as a long-stay hospital, the miners' strikes or the punk movement
How to get funding
If you have an idea for a project, we would love to hear from you.
News
What’s the story, Rockfield glory?
A new project led by local sixth formers is aiming to capture the numerous musical memories of Rockfield Studios in Monmouth.
Blogs
'My Dearest Mother': A Valleys View of the First World War
15 year old Kailynn Nash talks about her personal experiences at the recent Senedd event.
Blogs
An Explorer's trip to Cardiff
Fourteen year old Elen Owens is a student at St Gerard’s School in Bangor, and a member of the Menai Bridge Scouts group. Here, she talks about her recent visit to the Senedd in Cardiff for the HLF’s First World War: then and now event.
News
Reflecting on HLF’s Remembrance Week event in Wales
Last week, to coincide with Remembrance Week, the HLF Wales team held an event at the Senedd in Cardiff, showcasing projects funded by HLF in Wales.
News
Exploring the stories of volunteering in Cardiff
Volunteering in Cardiff 1914-2014 is a two-year project that will explore the story of volunteering in the Southern Arc of Cardiff over the last century
Blogs
Dear Mrs Pennyman
Dr Roisín Higgins explores the project that is sharing recently discovered stories of women who lost loved ones during the First World War.
News
Education Minister launches new Wales at War platform
Yesterday (2 November), the National Library of Wales launched a new Wales at War platform at St Cyres School, Penarth – a major, bilingual digital resource for schoolchildren, teachers and anyone with an interest in the First World War and its impact on Welsh communities.
News
Marking Black History Month in Wales
During Black History Month people are exploring their diverse heritage and culture.
News
10 things to do this Black History Month
October sees the country mark Black History Month. Find out how to get involved!
News
Hidden Now Heard project unearths our silenced heritage
Mencap's three year project is capturing memories of former residents and staff from Wales's long-stay hospitals.
News
Putting down roots in Penrhyndeudraeth
This Saturday there’s going to be a party in Penrhyndeudraeth – and there’s certainly plenty to celebrate, as youngsters embark on a new project to learn more about the former local munitions works that was once the largest explosives factory in Europe.
Blogs
Diving in to heritage at Pontypridd Lido
Last week the much-loved Pontypridd Lido re-opened after almost a quarter of a century. Our new Head of HLF Wales, Richard Bellamy, explains why its story is so important to him.