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.
Projects
Exploring the life stories of South Asian women survivors of sexual violence
What will people say? was an oral history project led by Greater Manchester Rape Crisis (GMRC) in partnership with the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre and Education Trust.
![A man from a Pakistani family background on a outdoor walk, wearing hiking gear. He stands in front of a pile of logs](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/naveed_bakhsh_boots_and_beards_2.jpg.webp?itok=WfVMlhhY)
Blogs
‘Heritage is a bridge that connects me to my South Asian and Scottish identities’
![A colourful banner commemorating the landing of the Empire Windrush, saying 'Docked here at Tilbury, June 22nd 1948'](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/windrushtilbury1_954.jpg.webp?itok=9e1fdsFe)
News
Six projects celebrating the legacy of the Windrush generation
![Two Skylark IX volunteers work on building a wooden rowing boat](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/skylark_ix_volunteers_rebecca_and_james.jpg.webp?itok=aez4UwPu)
Stories
Recovery and resilience: advice from a heritage project improving skills and wellbeing
![Children with pysanka egg display for Eurovision Children stand next to pysanka egg display for Eurovision celebrations](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/social-children_with_pysanka_eggs-dsc_5279-pete-carr.jpg.webp?itok=ZrQqEFkx)
News
Eurovision fever in full swing across Liverpool City Region
![Group of children hold books whilst looking at the camera](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/bradford_book_project_heritage_fund_the_leap.jpg.webp?itok=xCSQkIzd)
Stories
Bradford’s diverse community heritage celebrated and shared thanks to local knowledge
![A photo of an indoor event, with a speaker talking to a seated audience](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/dig_where_you_stand_project.jpg.webp?itok=fncwGCXZ)
Projects
Excavating untold stories of people from diverse ethnic communities in South Yorkshire
In the Dig Where You Stand project, artists, archivists, educators and local people will work together to explore hidden histories that stretch back centuries.
![Four young people chatting and looking at a display of a small historical model settlement](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Fellows%20at%20galleries%20of%20Museum%20of%20London%201.jpg.webp?itok=WCADZRze)
Stories
How to make recruitment fair and open to all
Projects
Neurodiversity through the ages
Educating local communities in Grimsby about neurodiversity throughout human history, including – the development of psychiatry as a discipline, the history of diagnoses and how society treated neurodivergent people.
Projects
Black heritage, performance and Shakespeare in Scotland
Inspired by the untold history of Black performance in Scotland, this project celebrates modern black LGBTQ+ performance and widens understanding and engagement with Black Scottish heritage.
![Display of gig posters at The Museum of Youth Culture Image of person with long dark hair and dark clothing taking a picture on a mobile of a display of music gig posters at The Museum of Youth Culture](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Museum%20of%20Youth%203%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=T162jK7S)
Stories
Future-proofing museum collections: four Dynamic Collections successes
![A person standing in front of a glass display of pride flags, t-shirts, leaflets and other memorabilia in a glass case](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Mark%20at%20the%20Wales%20is%20Proud%20exhibition.jpg.webp?itok=dVTkM9f5)
Stories