Led by young people, from Newcastle, and run by a leading UK charity Headliners, the project focuses on the origins of the Geordie dialect and its impact on the identity of the North East.

Taaking Heeds will let the youngsters discover the origins and explore, the history  of common phrases and words such as ‘Deeks’ (Look at) ‘Scran’ (food) and ‘Hyem’ (home), which could date back as far as Anglo Saxon times, which are still used in everyday conversation in the North East.

The charity Headliners, an organisation that works with young people to increase learning through developing media and communication skills, will help 80 young participants from across the city to get involved in this project. Working with heritage professionals from Newcastle City Library, Taaking Heeds participants will gain a deeper insight into this previously under-researched part of their history, as well as teaching them valuable new communication skills to use as they develop their careers.

The young people will collect oral histories through interviewing local people, transcribing and collating information. When the project is finished the collection will be exhibited in a touring exhibition run by The British  Library called ‘Evolving English’ The exhibition will be held in a number of venues across Newcastle, and a final event will see each participant receive an award for their work

The young people will be involved in all the decision making from start to finish, get to choose who they interview, how they exhibit the material, set up all workshop sessions and which aspect of the Geordie dialect to focus on and explore further.

In addition, working on this project will give youngsters involved the opportunity to gain either a full Open College Network accreditation or elements for a further qualification

Fiona Wyton, Director of Headliners, said: "We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund are confident the project will support young people to be active citizens with pride in their Geordie Heritage."

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North East, Ivor Crowther, said: "This is an excellent project for the young people of the North East. As well as the vast collection of skills they will develop, this in-depth look at their own dialect heritage will help give them a greater sense of identity. The Geordie dialect has always been a significant part of the North East culture, now this project helps raise its profile once again."

Notes to editors

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK with £209 million in the North East alone.

Further information 

HLF Press Office, Lucinda Tyrrell on 020 7591 6031/ lucindat@hlf.org.uk or Laura Bates on 020 7591 6027 / lbates@hlf.org.uk