Children and young people

Heritage has a crucial role to play in enriching the lives of children and young people, creating a more inclusive society.

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.

We are committed to supporting greater inclusion, diversity, access and participation in heritage – including for younger generations. We know that children and young people can play a significant role in creating innovative and exciting heritage projects that speak to them.

Explore some of our work below and find inspiration for your project, then discover whether your idea is eligible for funding.

A visiting schoolgirl rings a cast iron bell on a bracket.

A visiting school child tests a bell. Credit: Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust.

Stories

Ringing the changes: engaging the next generation at Britain’s last working bell foundry

Our support is helping to connect the global history of an at-risk craft with new audiences and young people keen to build a career in heritage.

Three people working on a film shoot - one person operating a camera, another directing and a third looking on

Videos

How Wentworth Woodhouse uses digital storytelling

What started out as a mission to share the restoration of Grade I listed Wentworth Woodhouse online has developed into much more. In this video – created by the Volunteer Digital Team – hear from CEO Sarah McLeod and the volunteers themselves about community engagement, reaching a worldwide audience

A large group of young people cheering outdoors

Participants in the New to Nature programme including future Game Changer, Lisa Manning.

News

Meet the future game changers of heritage

The next phase of The National Lottery’s Game Changer campaign highlights the incredible impact of young adults across the UK.

13/05/2025

A group of young people arranging flowers and leaves on a white sheet

The Botanical Young Women of Hounslow project runs arts workshops to engage young people in heritage. Photo: Hounslow Action for Youth.

Stories

The extraordinary 18th-century women inspiring young people to embrace heritage

Hounslow Action for Youth is using the untold stories of Marina Dellap and Catharine MacCartney to help a new generation explore botanical history.

Two visitors use a smart phone to scan a QR code that unlocks additional interpretation and audio guides about the Scottish national collection.

Visitors use a smartphone to access digital guides during their visit. Credit: National Galleries of Scotland.

Stories

Reconnecting Scotland with its national collection

The National Galleries of Scotland has transformed the Scottish galleries in Edinburgh, with the needs of local – and global – audiences at the heart of the project.

Four young musicians stand together in a large room within Canada House, prior to the restoration.

Young musicians in Canada House, Sheffield. Credit: Vox Media.

Projects

Creating a music hub for Sheffield's next generation

27/01/2025

We have awarded £4.7million to transform Canada House, a Grade II* listed Sheffield landmark, into an innovative centre for music education and performance.

08/03/2023

Blogs

How to engage young and diverse audiences with your archives

Shjodi Ison shares her experiences of joining a Heritage Fund project as an apprentice, the positive impact of inclusive recruitment and how it has given clarity to her future.

03/09/2024

A group of people are in a studio taking part in a movement and dance workshop

Young people take part in a movement and performance workshop as part of the Catalyser learning programme. Photo: Hunter Gatherer.

Projects

Choreozone: Activating an Archive

Clod Ensemble is celebrating and sharing the lived experience of performance artists, improving access to the collections and inspiring a younger generation.

24/03/2023