Historic England is inviting community and heritage organisations to apply for funding through its ‘Everyday Heritage Grants: Celebrating Working Class Histories’ - for creative projects which will unlock and bring these stories to life.
Launched for the first-time last year, the scheme has already funded 57 projects, celebrating fascinating untold stories from across England.
The emotional memories of football fans are captured in ‘We.Are.Derby’; the experiences of nurses from the Caribbean at a hospital in Bristol are recorded in ‘Answering the Call’; and the blood, sweat and toil of the 17,000 migrant workers who build the 36-mile Manchester Ship Canal are honoured in a project called ‘Navvies’.
Each grant awarded last year has left lasting legacies for the communities involved. They include traditional blacksmithing skills learned by young people in Winson Green, Birmingham and a documentary celebrating the proud working-class history of West Yorkshire’s boxing clubs.
Everyday Heritage Grants: Celebrating Working Class Histories is one of the cultural projects Historic England is delivering to shine a light on the diversity of the nation’s heritage.
Sean Curran, Head of Inclusion at Historic England, said: “We are delighted to announce further funding through our Everyday Heritage Grants: Celebrating Working Class Histories. Heritage is all around us but often the stories of ordinary people and places aren’t included in the archives and memories of their extraordinary impact on history fade away.
“We’re looking for creative projects which bring communities together, unlocking the stories and celebrating the people and places at the heart of our history. They have shaped our local identities and are integral to our country and culture.”
HOW TO APPLY
Historic England is inviting community and heritage organisations across the country to apply for grants of up to £25,000 through its Everyday Heritage Grants: Celebrating Working Class Histories.
Applications for funding for smaller grass roots projects starting at £1,000 are also welcome.
Each project should enable people to share untold stories about the places where they live, encouraging communities to examine and tell their own stories in their own ways.
The projects selected will contribute positively to participants’ wellbeing, as well as
providing innovative volunteering opportunities. Local heritage gives people a sense of pride in place and can act as a powerful catalyst for increasing local opportunities and prosperity.
Applications open on Thursday, 7 September and close on 7 November 2023.
For more information visit https://historicengland.org.uk/everydayheritage/
