A new project will enable the Network to engage and co-create with a group of young people aged 10-20 across England, giving them opportunities in the heritage sector.
Thanks to a grant of £34,063 from the Dulverton Trust in partnership with the #iwill Fund, Heritage Trust Network is launching a new project, 1020 Voice for Heritage. The project will enable the Network to engage young people aged 10-20 with opportunities in the heritage sector and to give them a national platform. It has the potential to transform the way that heritage organisations work with and engage young people by gaining new insight through the co-creation process.
The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to a £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities. Dulverton Trust is acting as a match funder and awarding grants on behalf of the #iwill Fund.
Since April 2022, the Network has been supporting the Heritage Trust Network Youth Forum, made up of 18–30-year-olds who are students and early careers professionals, getting a foot in the sector. This has been a co-created process where the youth forum’s members have set their own goals and activities. It is hoped that the new 1020 Voice for Heritage project will complement the existing Youth Forum and expand the impact that young people can have on organisations in the heritage sector. The Network aims to showcase young people’s contribution at its annual conference, at other events and online.
Liz Bates, Chair of Heritage Trust Network, said, “Our Network members are delivering Heritage projects across the UK and young people are essential to their success. With the support of the Dulverton Trust, our Network Youth Forum can be further developed to harness their skills, innovative ideas and enthusiasm for the future. We are excited to work with Heritage Lincolnshire on this project, and we know that the outcomes will be invaluable to our members as they make heritage more accessible to a wider audience.”
The project will be delivered in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire who will bring extensive experience of working successfully with young people, schools and Lincolnshire’s only Young Archaeologists’ Club to the project.
Greg Pickup CEO of Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire said, “Our country has an incredible heritage that is far too important and exciting to be left to those of us who’ve been in the sector for years. Thanks to the Dulverton Trust’s generosity, we’ll be able to provide meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with heritage and become the next generation of enthusiasts. We’re looking forward to working with the Heritage Trust Network and sharing what we learn throughout the sector.”
Helen Whyman, Head of the #iwill Fund at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to support from National Lottery players, the work of the #iwill Fund continues to have an incredible impact on young people. This new funding will help young people to develop their skills and feel empowered to take an active role in shaping their communities.”
Below is a flyer and FAQs sheet which you can download and share with young people who may be interested in the project:
Download the 1020 Voice for Heritage project flyer and FAQs
To find out more, or register your interest in the project, email Fae at fae.clark@heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk before 30th August.
