The National Lottery Heritage Fund

We are celebrating 30 years of the National Lottery at Whitby Abbey! 🎉 This milestone not only marks the incredible journey of the National Lottery but also highlights the extraordinary impact it has had on the UK heritage sector. Today, we recognise seven remarkable Game Changers – from founders to activists and trailblazers – who have transformed the landscape of heritage through their commitment and innovation. Their achievements are celebrated in a stunning art installation by New York artist David Popa, titled ‘The Heritage Tree’. This installation wraps around the iconic Whitby Abbey and symbolises the deep-rotted contribution of these individuals to our heritage. Made from organic pigments, the artwork will naturally fade and return to nature over time. We invite everyone to reflect on the inspiring stories behind these individuals and the vital role of National Lottery in supporting heritage projects across the UK 🙌 To read more about, click here: https://lnkd.in/enUsC2aj #NationalLottery30

Take part in Crossed Finger Selfie Day on 19 November 2024 on social media! 🤞 It's a great way to acknowledge your #Heritage grant and say #ThanksToYou to #NationalLottery players. We're looking forward to shining a spotlight on some of the magnificent #Heritage projects we support. Join the online conversation – last year we got #ThanksToYou trending on the day and reached millions of people! Find out more about the day and how to get involved 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKpnYE3C

“We’re seizing the opportunity this project provides because this is not just Black history, and it’s not just British history – this is world history. And more so, it’s our history.” Julz Davis talks about his approach to working with the Rebel Curators, the group of Black people who are creatively reimagining how Bristol Museums Development Trust tells the story of the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans. His advice on creating space to have difficult conversations will be useful for any organisation wanting to make sure everyone's perspectives are heard. Read the blog 👉 https://lnkd.in/eGVDXHuA #blackhistorymonth

We’re delighted to announce a £10million grant to help save Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare! 🎉 This funding, made possible by #NationalLottery players, will restore the at risk Victorian landmark, which today celebrates the 160th anniversary of the laying of its foundation stone. The major funding is a vital step in ambitions to reopen the pier to the public and return lifesaving RNLI operations to Birnbeck Island. Birnbeck Pier, a landmark Grade II* listed structure and the only UK pier that links the mainland to an island, has been a treasured Victorian landmark for generations. This project will reinstate the pier at the heart of Weston and contribute to the town’s cultural and economic growth. We’re proud to support the project which is led by North Somerset Council in partnership with the RNLI and with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Historic England, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government the BIRNBECK REGENERATION TRUST. This is an exciting chapter for the pier and a proud achievement for all involved! Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/etd8-3Ai #Heritage #HeritageFund

We visited UK Parliament this week to celebrate 30 years of #NationalLottery funding in the North of England. We were delighted to be joined by Minister for Heritage Sir Chris Bryant MP as well as MPs, Peers, Mayors and heritage projects across the North to showcase the rich and diverse heritage! 👏

As we celebrate our milestone of 30 years, we reflect on the incredible journey we've had alongside The National Lottery 🎉 Since 1994, we’ve proudly invested £8.6bn, thanks to #NationalLottery players, into over 47,000 diverse projects across the UK.    Our first project, which laid the foundation for all that followed, showcased our commitment to preserving and celebrating our rich #Heritage. Fast forward three decades, and we have supported a remarkable array of initiatives - from historic buildings to natural environments, collections, and stories that connect us all.    In this special year, we’ll be sharing highlights from our journey over the next 30 days, leading up to our 30th birthday. Each day, we’ll feature a different project that embodies the breadth and diversity of our shared heritage.    Join us in this celebration and explore our projects on our interactive map 👉   https://lnkd.in/ekD3fRz7    Follow along on our social channels and stay tuned for daily updates on Instagram, Facebook and X.    #Heritage #NationalLottery30 #30ProjectsFor30Years  

Hear from Heritage Fund Chief Executive Eilish McGuinness on the remarkable Chew Valley Hoard, now on display at the The British Museum 👏 With thanks to £4.4m raised by #NationalLottery players, this incredible treasure, dating from the Norman Conquest, has been acquired by the South West Heritage Trust. The hoard will later tour museums across the UK before finding a permanent home at The The Museum of Somerset, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTYPfynT #Heritage #HeritageFund #Museum #Collections #Hoard #Coins

Exciting funding news today! We are delighted to announce a £4.4m National Lottery award to the South West Heritage Trust for the acquisition of the Chew Valley Hoard, a remarkable collection of silver pennies from the time of the Norman Conquest. Now secured for the UK, the hoard will go on display at the British Museum next month before coming home to the county of Somerset with a permanent home at Museum of Somerset. Find out more about the hoard and our investment on our website 👉 https://lnkd.in/eAFYvAVH

In a rapidly changing economic environment, resilience is essential for the heritage sector to thrive. We’ve gathered seven key strategies from projects across the UK that are making heritage organisations more adaptive, sustainable, and impactful 🌱 From community-driven budgeting to innovative digital training, these initiatives offer a roadmap for building long-term organisational resilience. Explore how Leicester Cathedral, Sheerness Dockyard Church, and others are preparing for the future. 🔗 Read more about these forward-thinking approaches and get inspired: https://lnkd.in/e8C8-M4d

📢 New research and advice for young people considering #Heritage careers. #UKHeritagePulse polled 200 heritage professionals on opportunities for people aged 15-24. 75% recommend a career in heritage to young people leaving education today. But only a third of organisations polled offer apprenticeships or paid internships to support young people entering the sector. Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is strong, although heritage organisations struggle with funding and time to develop links with underserved communities. Sharing their advice for young people, the panel said that getting experience through volunteering and building a large network is more important than gaining qualifications: “There is real reward in doing work that you believe matters.” #UKHeritagePulse is a collaborative data and insight project for the UK’s heritage sector. It is managed by a consortium of partners and supporters convened by us and Historic England. Read the panel’s advice in full or sign up to take part in the next survey 👉 https://lnkd.in/eFhPKr4n