Investing in heritage of diverse ethnic communities

Investing in heritage of diverse ethnic communities

a group of people with black and white skin stand around a book of records in an archive
Dig Where You Stand, North Yorkshire. Photo: Alicia Barrett.
Heritage belongs to us all – which is why we want to help tell everyone's stories.

At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we support all sorts of projects which explore and celebrate the heritage of diverse ethnic communities.

We want to support all communities to explore and share their heritage, enriching people’s lives and increasing the diversity of heritage workforces, leadership and audiences. 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.

Get inspiration for your project

Explore the projects below and find out more about applying for our funding.

Part of the display at Reading Museum
Part of the display at Reading Museum

Projects

History of Chinese People in Reading

The history of Chinese migrants in Reading, so far undocumented, is now available to all thanks to a heritage project spanning multiple generations.

Victoria Park school pupils and teacher who took in the Memories of Spice from Smethwick project
Victoria Park school pupils and teacher who took in the Memories of Spice from Smethwick project

Projects

Victoria Park Primary Academy - Memories of spice in Smethwick

The role of spices in shaping local culture, cuisine and customs has been captured thanks to a community history project in Smethwick, Sandwell in the West Midlands.

Two volunteers handle objects from the collection with a visitor
Object handling sessions enable visitors to engage more closely with the collections

Projects

In Touch - Museum Volunteer Accreditation Programme

Two museums worked closely with local agencies and community groups to open up volunteering opportunities to people who would not usually engage with heritage.

Children taking part in arts and crafts session
Children taking part in arts and crafts session

Projects

Welcoming young people to historic houses

The National Trust welcomed local families to four London properties and trained volunteers and staff to make them feel welcome.

Young children in costume
Young children learning about the history of Grosmont Village.

Projects

Bringing the past alive

Repairing the Grade I Church of St Nicholas, and restoring and relocating a 17th century monument, provided the impetus for a new interpretation and activity programme. This involved many young people and adults from the village and further afield.

Footballer Albert Johanneson
Out of Africa project archive image

Projects

Exploring the history of African footballers in the UK

From Ghana-born Arthur Wharton in the 1880s to Togolese Spurs star Emmanuel Adebayor, African footballers have been bringing their incredible skills to the UK's professional football leagues for nearly 130 years.

An illustration of quotation marks

Projects

Yemeni Roots, Salford Lives

The Yemeni Roots project captured the story of the Yemeni community in Eccles through a variety of oral history interviews, reminiscence work and creative art.

A group of people from Granby Somali Women's group stand in a circle

Projects

Celebrating Somali community roots in Liverpool

The Understanding and Celebrating our Roots project explored the historical links between Britain and Somaliland through capturing oral histories from Liverpool’s Somali community.

Will you spare a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences on using our website?

Take part in the survey