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
Pride! Prevention! Protection! 30 years of safer sex
LGBT Foundation recorded the memories of people involved in and affected by safer sex campaigns from the 1980s to the present day.
Projects
Don’t Settle: young people share their stories
On a mission to use heritage to give young people a voice, this project worked with diverse ethnic communities in Birmingham and the Black Country.
Projects
Touching stitches: embroidery access for the blind
This innovative project explored ways to enable blind and partially sighted people to access the Edinburgh College of Art’s historic textile collection, which spans over three centuries.
Projects
Windrush Scotland: African-Caribbean Experiences in Scotland
Getting people talking and creating an archive of African-Caribbean community identity in Scotland was at the heart of the Windrush Scotland project.
Projects
Windrush Generations: Evolving Heritage
A group of young people working with the African Community Centre in Swansea led a project to uncover the stories of descendants of the Windrush generation living in South Wales.
![Revealing the hidden history of women’s football Women's football team face the camera in two rows - one standing behind, one kneeling in front.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/St%20Helen%E2%80%99s%20WFC%2C%201977.%20Copyright%20National%20Football%20Museum..jpg.webp?itok=4Bk3FXwr)
News
Revealing the hidden history of women’s football
Projects
100 Portraits - a living archive of learning disability today
Artists used portraiture to capture a snapshot of the learning disabled community in Scotland during the pandemic.
![Volunteers from the South Riverside Community Development Centre The South Riverside Community Development Centre](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/954%20X%20536%20South%20Riverside%20Community%20Development%20Centre.jpg.webp?itok=q4NIagFc)
News
£300,000 nature funding for under-served communities in Wales
![Jumping for joy at the Green Valley Conservation and Heritage Project Happy volunteers at the Green Valley Conservation and Heritage Project](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Green%20Valley%20Jump%20954%20x%20536.jpg.webp?itok=1dF6QsWy)
News
South Wales wellbeing garden wins National Lottery award
Projects
Dunfermline & West Fife - Wellbeing Through Heritage
The project is helping people improve their mental health and wellbeing through access to heritage.
Projects
People with disabilities tell their stories through photography
A participatory photography project is supporting disabled people and those from socially deprived areas to engage with their local and national heritage.
Projects
The Wilderness: Saving nature’s heritage to improve wellbeing
Despite challenges during the pandemic, The Wilderness project shows how older people’s wellbeing can be improved by actively restoring and engaging with natural heritage.