Young people

A large group on stage with a person reading from a sheet of paper in the foreground

H.A.I.R (Heritage Attitude Identity Respect). Credit: Leyla Webbe.

Stories

How black history is equipping young people with skills for future success

Meet two projects supporting young people to kickstart their careers, connect with their communities and take pride in their heritage.

A group of student volunteers listening to a presentation

Both current and former volunteers will be invited to contribute to the project. Credit: Discovery Student Volunteering Swansea.

Projects

Celebrating 60 years of student volunteering in Swansea

02/10/2025

This project is capturing and sharing the history of a group of student volunteers to highlight the difference they’ve made over the decades.

09/09/2025

Holocaust survivors and refugees stand with their life story books in Sir John Rylands Library.

Holocaust survivors and refugees are sharing their life stories with future generations. Credit: The Fed.

Stories

Protecting the life stories of Holocaust survivors and refugees

The My Voice project is using tales of shattered lives rebuilt to spread a message of hope and resilience across generations.

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