Inclusive heritage
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.
Stories
Celebrating the music pioneer Delia Derbyshire on Doctor Who's 60th anniversary
News
Pioneering portrait photographer Dorothy Wilding celebrated in new exhibition
News
100 years of women scaling new heights with the Pinnacle Club
News
Follow in the footsteps of ‘Gentleman Jack’ in Edinburgh
Stories
Bringing Henrietta Lacks’ story to life in Bristol
Projects
Malaysian Angels of the NHS
Newham Chinese Association are gathering oral histories of 20 Malaysian nurses who arrived to the UK to work for the NHS from the 1950s onwards.
Projects
From Scutari Hospital to NHS Nightingale: the British Hotel to Seacole Recovery Centres
Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole were pioneers in British military nursing and social care, following their work in the Crimean War in the 1850s. This project by the Florence Nightingale Museum explores their achievements and legacy.
Stories
Six women: stories of our LGBT+ heritage
Projects
Residency opportunities for women in Scotland's ethnically diverse communities
A programme of museum residencies for women will offer upskilling opportunities and improve inclusivity in the heritage sector.
Projects
Wayfinding: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Great Outdoors
The Wayfinding project created opportunities for people from diverse ethnic communities in the North East of England to engage with the outdoors and wildlife in their local area.
Videos
Esther Fox is the National Lottery Awards Heritage Winner for 2023
Blogs
Queer Heritage South: what we’ve learned about running LGBTQ+ heritage projects
Stories
Ten stories for Women’s History Month
Stories
Discover the pioneering woman scientist who mapped the moon
Blogs
Techniques for supporting young people's wellbeing during heritage projects
News
£4.3million supports places of worship in Midlands and East of England communities
Projects
Reawakening St Mary Magdalene for Newark communities
St Mary Magdalene Church is undergoing a revival to transform the Grade I listed building into a vibrant community hub.
Projects
The Power of Holly Johnson
This project aims to explore the rich history and lasting influence of Holly Johnson and the LGBTQ+ community on the cultural fabric of Liverpool.
Stories
LGBTQ+ heritage organisations share their advice on how to run great projects
Projects
Out On An Island: 100 years of Isle of Wight LGBTQ+ oral histories
StoneCrabs Theatre collaborated with the community on the island’s first LGBTQ+ oral history project.
Projects
Wild Mind LGBTQ+ natural heritage wellbeing workshops
The Wild Mind Project is restoring a neglected green space in Brighton through nature programmes for the young LGBTQ+ community.
Projects
Pride In Self, Pride In Place: the NHS and LGBTQ+ culture on the Isle of Wight
StoneCrabs Theatre is gathering oral histories to uncover the role of the NHS in the Isle of Wight’s LGBTQ+ culture between 1980 and 2000.
Projects
I Me Us Boundless: sharing stories of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people in Cumbria
Through the collection of stories, this project will document the lived experiences of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people in Cumbria.