Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

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

Cleaning 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.

An Asian couple in the foreground, with other visitors in the background, exploring the Giant's Causeway

Publications

Equality impact assessment for Heritage 2033

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and ensuring our funding programmes, initiatives, strategies, policies and decision-making processes do not have any adverse impacts on groups with protected characteristics. Heritage 2033 To meet this commitment, we've carried out an equality

A couple looking at a map in a museum while standing in front of a sculpture

Publications

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Review update report

In this report we summarise – for each of our four EDI workstreams – our progress during 2021–2021 and our ambitions for the rest of 2022–2023.

A family of two adults and a young child in the grounds of St Fagans Museum

Publications

Understanding how we can be a more inclusive and equitable funder

Explore the findings from our independent research examining perspectives on heritage, inclusion and barriers to accessing our funding.

Young women at the SHEROES natural heritage project. Credit: Wayfinding

Hub

Inclusive heritage

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

A yonuger person assisting an older person on a computer

Basic Page

Reasonable adjustments

How we make sure our funding is open and accessible to all.

Two young people observing a notice board

Photo: Windsor Fellowship

News

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.

31/08/2021

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

25/08/2021

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

In this report we summarise – for each of the four workstreams – what we learned over the past 12 months, what we have already achieved, and set out key actions we will take throughout 2021-2022.

Publications

Workforce diversity

The data below shows the picture of our workforce and Board diversity, across ethnicity, gender, disability and sexual orientation from 2020–2021 and onwards.

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?

We commissioned independent research to understand perceptions of our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, and barriers to accessing our funding.

Four people sitting with large artwork behind them

At The Painted Hall.

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

31/03/2021