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
Being British: sharing the contribution of Birmingham's migrants
Young people researched the experiences and impact of Birmingham's migrants and discovered what it means to be British.
Projects
New Street Station history project for young people
Young people from Midland Actors Theatre joined the Library of Birmingham to explore and share the 160-year history of New Street Station.
Projects
Rewind! The evolution of recording - music, culture and science
Beat Routes enabled young people to discover the history of recording music in the 20th century, experimenting and recording with pre-digital technology.
Projects
Vivekananda exhibition on ancient Indian civilisation
The project featured a structured programme of education and training to an exhibition which has toured outside London to mark the 150th anniversary of the great Hindu philosopher and visionary, Vivekananda.
Projects
Remedies Remembered
Slough Roots enabled women from English, Asian and West Indian backgrounds to research traditional healing remedies still used in the UK today.
Projects
Remembering 1960s New Brighton through the photography of Keith Medley
Our Our Day Out encouraged people to explore the Keith Medley photographic archive based at Liverpool John Moores University.
Projects
Iranian Heritage Project
Northern Cultural Projects CIC spent a year investigating and documenting the Iranian Heritage of the North East.
Projects
The experiences of women workers in the manufacturing industries in Wales 1945-1975
The Women’s Archive of Wales recorded the experiences of women working in factories across the country after 1945, filling a gap in our social history.
Projects
Manchester's China Town Archive Project
Manchester Chinese archive trained volunteers to record, preserve and share a community’s hidden history.
Projects
Polish Archive, Exhibition & Book – Poles in the Bristol Area
The Anglo Polish Society created a touring exhibition, book and archive of reminiscences to raise awareness of the importance of Polish culture and heritage to Bristol’s diverse community.
Projects
Killyleagh Remembers: sharing local Catholic and Protestant stories of war
Catholic and Protestant communities were brought together in this project investigating the impact of the First World War on the local area.
Projects
Part of IT- Our story
Cultures CIC led a First World War project put together by the young people in the Teesside area which explored the contributions of African people and the effect of the war on the African continent.