Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Ensuring everyone in the UK has opportunities to explore, access and enjoy heritage has been at the heart of The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s mission since we were established in 1994.
In our Strategic Funding Framework 2019-2024, we made that mission explicit. Inclusion – ‘involving a wider range of people’ – is a mandatory outcome of all the projects we fund.
When we talk about inclusion, we mean equal and fair access for everyone, regardless of age, sex, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, faith, class or income.
However, we recognise that we need to do more to achieve equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of our organisation and its work. Bringing about change is an ongoing process. We are listening and learning to help drive the change we want to see.
On this page we share our commitment to that work and our actions to progress it.
Dancers taking part in the Bhangra Renaissance project in Kirklees
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Help us to be a more inclusive funder
We're carrying out research to ensure fair and equal access to our funding: deadline to take part extended.
Photo: Windsor Fellowship
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Kickstarting careers and diversifying the heritage sector
We’re providing opportunities for young people to advance their careers in the heritage sector through our traineeships and internships.
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How we’re working towards an ambitious vision of inclusive heritage
The Review, launched in June 2020, drew on internal expertise and evidence, commissioned external research and examined best practice in the heritage sector and beyond. We set out to define an ambitious vision of inclusive heritage for ourselves and the sector. It was led by Andrew White, Director
Publications
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Review report
Foreword By Maria Adebowale-Schwarte, Chair of the EDI Review Task Force and Trustee at The National Lottery Heritage Fund Ensuring everyone in the UK has opportunities to explore, access and enjoy heritage has been at the heart of The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s mission since we were
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Workforce diversity
Comparable benchmark data is also shown, based on UK working population levels. We recognise that in some areas our workforce is not as diverse as national levels and does not fully reflect the communities we serve. This difference is due in part to levels of disclosure within the organisation. We
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How can The Heritage Fund be more inclusive of under-represented groups?
We commissioned independent research to understand perceptions of our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, and barriers to accessing our funding.
At The Painted Hall.
Credit: Alys Tomlinson
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Our Values and Behaviours
Our Values and Behaviours are the bedrock on which we build success for our people, communities and heritage.
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Putting diversity and inclusion at the heart of decision-making
The North Committee has appointed three impressive new committee members who offer strong regional awareness and expertise both in the heritage sector and in promoting diversity and inclusion. “We want our decision-making to be as diverse and inclusive as the communities we work with.” David Renwick
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Public Sector Equality Duty for England, Scotland and Wales
Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 details the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). The PSED consists of a general equality duty (the Duty) that requires non-departmental public bodies such as The National Heritage Memorial Fund/The National Lottery Heritage Fund, when exercising our public
Photo credit: Windsor Fellowship
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Training and employment opportunities to build a diverse heritage sector
We’ve launched a programme in partnership with Windsor Fellowship to help Black, Asian and minority ethnicity (BAME) graduates kickstart their careers.
People
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Review Task Force
Meet the Task Force overseeing our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Review.