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Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

A woman watching as a younger woman cleans an antler behind the scenes at Norfolk Museums
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. 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund logo

News

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
A man and woman walking alongside a woman in a mobility scooter on a path surrounded by plants at RSPB Minsmere

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
a group of young poeple in a circle on the grass, looking over papers and post-it notes

Publications

How can The Heritage Fund be more inclusive of under-represented groups?

The research – conducted by The Social Investment Consultancy (TSIC) – focused on organisations with characteristics currently and historically under-represented in our funding portfolio: race and ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, socio-economic background and young people. TSIC conducted
Four people sitting with large artwork behind them
At The Painted Hall. Credit: Alys Tomlinson

Basic Page

Our Values and Behaviours

Our Values and Behaviours are the bedrock on which we build success for our people, communities and heritage.
People on the streets celebrating Hull Pride

News

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
Family at an exhibition

Hub

Inclusive heritage

Inclusion is about taking action to ensure that contemporary society in the UK is better represented in your heritage project.

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