Investing in heritage of diverse ethnic communities
![a group of people pose for a photo in Wales with hills and historic mining equipment in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_desktop/public/media/imgs/Roma%20community%20enjoying%20a%20day%20out%20with%20industrial%20heritage%20in%20the%20South%20Wales%20valleys%20Heritage%20Fund.jpg.webp?itok=y-6DzvUQ)
At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we support all sorts of projects which explore and celebrate the heritage of diverse ethnic communities.
During Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, we’re highlighting projects that showcase the diverse histories and heritage of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. Discover the stories of these projects below.
We want everyone to have opportunities to learn, develop new skills and explore heritage, regardless of background or personal circumstances. That's why under our Heritage 2033 investment principles inclusion, access and participation must be part of every project we fund.
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)
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. This describes a range of ethnic groups or people with nomadic ways of life who are not from a specific ethnicity.
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.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month
Each June Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month celebrates the histories, cultures and traditions of a diverse range of Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and nomadic communities. This year’s theme ‘what does family mean to you’ focusses on the importance of families, whatever form they take.
By sharing the stories and amplifying the voices of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people we can help to tackle prejudice and raise awareness about the past and present of the communities.
Our collection below showcases the diverse range of projects across the UK that we’ve supported to uncover, explore, and celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller heritage.
Get inspiration for your project
We want to support projects that make the stories of the UK’s four nations more inclusive of everyone’s heritage. Get inspired by the projects below and find out more about applying for our funding.
Projects
Cotton Threads: Bury's Industrial Links to Slavery
A local museum and archive worked together to reach wider audiences by developing an exhibition exploring the transatlantic slave trade through the papers of a Victorian cotton spinner.
![Local shop alongside the number five bus route in Birmingham Inside view of a local shop alongside the number five bus route in Birmingham](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/sampad-resized.jpg.webp?itok=PH018_rv)
Projects
Exploring the heritage of migrant communities along the number five bus route
Taking inspiration from the number five bus route, Sampad documented the heritage of communities living in the culturally-rich suburbs of Birmingham.
Projects
Exploring the development of British Asian women's literature
The archive project engaged new audiences with social heritage in Slough, especially those from South Asian communities.
![Participants exploring their heritage Participants exploring their heritage](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/desh.jpg.webp?itok=kh9Aq6IN)
Projects
Desh - Homeland
The project aims to bring together several generations of South Asians living in Bristol to identify and record their heritage. Desh means Motherland or Homeland in Hindi and Urdu.
Projects
Burnley LGBT Heritage Project
The Burnley LGBT Heritage Project focused on capturing the hidden histories of LGBT+ communities to explore the life stories, experiences and memories of people living in the area.
Projects
Afro Solo
The Afro Solo UK project documented the story of African migration into Greater Manchester during the 1920s–1960s.
![From Plantation to Pollock, from Kabul to Kennishead Secondary school pupils conducting oral history interviews](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/from_plantation_to_pollock.jpg.webp?itok=Ll-pT-UK)
Projects
From Plantation to Pollock, from Kabul to Kennishead
Secondary school pupils conducted oral history interviews with former tenement residents and recent asylum seekers in Glasgow, bringing different generations and communities together.
Projects
Capturing the stories of London's Chinatown
The memories and life stories of the people who built and defined the character of London's Chinatown were captured and shared with younger generations.
Projects
The Arthur Wharton Heritage Project
This project told the story of the UK's first professional black footballer, with free educational resources exploring Arthur Wharton's heritage.
![Raleigh Hall Development Outside view of the Black Cultural Archives](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/hg-07-00890_bcaedmundsumnerbca0016prs4.jpg.webp?itok=bhBoln4W)
Projects
Brixton's Raleigh Hall Development
The derelict Grade II listed building in Brixton was turned into a permanent home for the Black Cultural Archive’s collection of historical material.
Projects
'Celebrating Highgate and Peter Stanford, Birmingham's First Black Minister'
Highgate Baptist Church researched the remarkable life of Peter Stanford, Birmingham’s first black minister.
Projects
Journey from Bangladesh to Birmingham
An oral history project recording the memories and experiences of people who moved from Bangladesh to Birmingham between 1940 and 1971.