Inclusive heritage
![Inclusive heritage A group of female mountaineers on an expedition in the Himalayas in 1962](/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_desktop/public/media/imgs/pinnacle_club_the_jagdula_summit_team_in_1962.jpg.jpg.webp?itok=mDuu4j7Y)
What is inclusion?
Inclusion is about taking action to ensure that contemporary society in the UK is better represented in your heritage project.
We believe everyone should be able to benefit from our funding, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, faith, class or income.
"Heritage activities bring people and communities together in so many brilliant ways. We are constantly inspired by the many creative ways previously hidden histories are shared, helping us all learn more about each other and our differing personal lives, experiences and memories."
Liz Ellis, Heritage Fund Policy Project Manager for inclusion
The terms we use:
Some of the terms we use include:
- diverse ethnic communities, or ethnically diverse communities. In Scotland we use MECC (minority ethnic and cultural community). We have revised our usage of the term BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic).
- LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other identities)
We use these terms because we believe they are widely understood. Identities can be complex and intersectional, and we are also aware that for many these terms may feel inadequate or limiting. We keep the language we use constantly under review.
What we expect from projects
Inclusion, access and participation is one of four Heritage 2033 investment principles that guide our grant decision making. Every project we fund must take into account how they will support greater inclusion, diversity, access and participation in heritage.
We want to see every project taking steps to reach out to new people, to share heritage beyond their organisation, and to embed inclusive practice as far as they can.
In planning your project, ensure that everyone you work with feels a sense of welcome and belonging. Take a look at our inclusion good practice guidance for advice and ideas.
Scroll down the page to see some of the inspiring projects we have funded.
What you can expect from us
We want to make sure our funding is open and accessible to all. We have set out a plan to meet people’s access needs, from translation services to digital application support.
Heritage of diverse ethnic communities
We support all sorts of projects which explore and celebrate the heritage of diverse ethnic communities.
We also want to help the sector itself to better reflect the UK population.
Children and young people
Since 1994, we are proud to have invested over £60million across the UK in projects working with children and young people. This includes the £10m Kick the Dust programme.
Disability heritage
Disabled people are under-served in every area of the heritage sector, including people who are learning disabled, people with physical or sensory disabilities or those living with dementia or using mental health services.
We are working in partnership with disabled people to change this unfair situation.
LGBTQ+ heritage
Since 1994 we've invested over £12million across the UK in sharing stories of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other identities) heritage, creativity, activism and much more.
Heritage for wellbeing
Heritage can build connectedness to where you live, to people around you or to a community online. It can support individual confidence and self-esteem, and provide opportunities to be mentally and physically active.
Heritage can also help us find meaning and purpose in our lives. Both are significant aspects in how we experience wellbeing.
![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
![Black and white studio photo from 1923 of three women posing in a 'frieze'](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Wilding-Frieze-1923-detail.jpg.webp?itok=GMNGJlhm)
News
Pioneering portrait photographer Dorothy Wilding celebrated in new exhibition
![100 years of women scaling new heights with the Pinnacle Club The Pinnacle Club's Jagdula summit team in 1962](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/The%20Jagdula%20summit%20team%20in%201962.jpg.webp?itok=5-ESuM8X)
News
100 years of women scaling new heights with the Pinnacle Club
![Anne Lister painting by Joshua Horner](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Anne-Lister.jpg.webp?itok=VrlqAZ02)
News
Follow in the footsteps of ‘Gentleman Jack’ in Edinburgh
![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
Bringing Henrietta Lacks’ story to life in Bristol
![An event at Newham Chinese Association](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/newham_chinese_association.jpg.webp?itok=-_E1F-4o)
Projects
Malaysian Angels of the NHS
Newham Chinese Association are gathering oral histories of 20 Malaysian nurses who arrived to the UK to work for the NHS from the 1950s onwards.
Projects
From Scutari Hospital to NHS Nightingale: the British Hotel to Seacole Recovery Centres
Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole were pioneers in British military nursing and social care, following their work in the Crimean War in the 1850s. This project by the Florence Nightingale Museum explores their achievements and legacy.
![Six women: stories of our LGBT heritage Margaret Cavendish](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Margaret_Cavendish%2C_Duchess_of_Newcastle%2C_by_Peter_Lely.jpg.webp?itok=3eWN-lg4)
Stories
Six women: stories of our LGBT+ heritage
![Thistles and Dandelions Three women from diverse ethnic communities are stood and smiling at the camera](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/thistles_and_dandelions_at_david_livingstone_birthplace_0.jpg.webp?itok=fHTPLgJD)
Projects
Residency opportunities for women in Scotland's ethnically diverse communities
A programme of museum residencies for women will offer upskilling opportunities and improve inclusivity in the heritage sector.
Projects
Wayfinding: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Great Outdoors
The Wayfinding project created opportunities for people from diverse ethnic communities in the North East of England to engage with the outdoors and wildlife in their local area.
![Esther Fox holding a metallic cross-fingers award](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/br4443-national-lottery-awards-2023-esther.jpg.webp?itok=hyw50fCD)
Videos
Esther Fox is the National Lottery Awards Heritage Winner for 2023
![The left side of the image shows a traditional Traveller wagon, painted with decorative designs, and the right side of the image shows a man leading a pony and trap which a girl is riding](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/armagh_roma_traveller_support_activity_2.jpg.webp?itok=qIHF87k8)
Projects
Roma and Irish Travellers: A Shared Story
People from different cultures and backgrounds came together for workshops and celebration events about Roma and Irish Traveller cultural heritage organised by Armagh Roma Traveller Support.
Projects
Roma Empowerment Through Heritage
This pilot project trained volunteers including young Roma people to record heritage and ran a Roma cultural heritage festival.
![A historic black and white photograph of a group of Traveller people with infants selling flowers](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/flower_sellers_new_forest_new_forest_gypsy_roma_traveller.jpg.webp?itok=mCtX-L8u)
News
How we’re helping to save the heritage of community traditions and ways of life
Publications
Inclusive recruitment guide
![a photo of David Sheppeard sitting outside against a glass wall. David has white skin, short brown hair and wears a dark shirt](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/david_sheppeard_marlborough_productions_credit_rosie_powell_1.jpg.webp?itok=KoB1DW-t)
Blogs
Queer Heritage South: what we’ve learned about running LGBTQ+ heritage projects
![Two people in historic nursing outfits depicting Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale, holding a frame to their faces](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/florence-nightingale-museum-8.jpg.webp?itok=7SDeWyT6)
Stories
Ten stories for Women’s History Month
![A large artwork of the moon hanging in Ely Cathedral](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/museum_of_the_moon_luke_jerram_at_ely_cathedral_credit_james_billings.jpg.webp?itok=2OiNzVug)
Stories
Discover the pioneering woman scientist who mapped the moon
![Two people wearing Reimagine, Remake, Replay tshirts using filming equipment at an event](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/reimagine_remake_replay_kick_the_dust.jpg.webp?itok=8iiuzyv_)
Blogs
Techniques for supporting young people's wellbeing during heritage projects
![An older woman looks at magazines and leaflets on a table in a busy church](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/people-church-binoculars-orig.jpg.jpg.webp?itok=Tree_Vmw)
News
£4.3million supports places of worship in Midlands and East of England communities
![The exterior of a large church with a spire](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/st_mary_magdalene_church_newark_copy.jpg.webp?itok=ynTLom_u)
Projects
Reawakening St Mary Magdalene for Newark communities
St Mary Magdalene Church is undergoing a revival to transform the Grade I listed building into a vibrant community hub.
Projects
The Power of Holly Johnson
This project aims to explore the rich history and lasting influence of Holly Johnson and the LGBTQ+ community on the cultural fabric of Liverpool.
![People wear colourful clothes and hold banners and rainbow flags at Isle of Wight Pride.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/isle_of_wight_pride._credit_hector_manchego.jpg.webp?itok=j9Q4cGaV)
Stories