The West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Heritage Network, and Locality are excited to announce the launch of new support for heritage organisations.  

The programme aims to help build resilience and capacity in the community and grass-roots heritage sector in West Yorkshire through a toolbox of learning sessions on several key topics. Core subjects for the course include:   

• Bid writing and fundraising  
• Governance and leadership   
• Engagement and partnership   
• Volunteer development   
• Equity, diversity and inclusion   
• Sustainable practices and energy saving  

Modules covering these topics will be delivered by Locality facilitators both in-person and online over the course of several months. 

Heritage organisations operating within the region were invited to two free discovery and consultation events to find out more about the programme and what they can gain from it. We especially want to hear from smaller, community and grass-roots heritage organisations.  Attendees also helped shape some of the course content to fit their needs.

This pilot programme has been commissioned by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and will be delivered by Heritage Network and Locality. It is part of the £2.3 million You Can Make It Here programme. Funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, You Can Make It Here aims to support and grow the region’s creative sector through a range of training and investment opportunities. 

View and download the Programme Discovery Event presentation.

Heritage Network 

Heritage Network (previously Heritage Trust Network) is the UK’s umbrella organisation for not-for-profits rescuing and restoring historic buildings, structures and places. We’re a member-led organisation with networking and peer-to-peer advice and learning at its heart.​  

We run training events and workshops throughout the year and regularly consult our members on which topics they require training on.​​ Whether you are someone new to the sector looking to learn the basics, a seasoned professional looking to catch up on the latest thinking or a local authority representative looking to expand your knowledge to cascade to colleagues, we’ve got something for you. 

West Yorkshire is the sort of place we love to work in, with a wealth of historic buildings, structures and landscapes but with some regeneration challenges. We can’t wait to start working with community heritage leaders there. 

Locality 

Locality is the national membership network supporting local community organisations to be strong and successful. There are high numbers of Locality members based across all parts of Yorkshire. A significant number of Locality members run community hubs often with heritage value but not necessarily listed.  

We provide specialist advice, peer-learning, resources and campaigns to help every community thrive, including to take over and run assets for the benefit of local people. We believe that when communities come together, they can transform lives and build a fairer society.

We have a strong working relationship with Heritage Network hence the collaboration in running the heritage project locally. In addition, several Locality staff are on the National Lottery Heritage Fund Register of Support Services. This helps to successfully deliver the projects funded by Heritage Fund.

Sign-up

If you would like to take part in the Heritage Toolbox pilot programme, fill in our sign-up form to be updated about upcoming events, learning modules and one-to-one sessions.

Reminder: This programme is for heritage organisations operating in the West Yorkshire combined authority.

Privacy

By submitting your details, you acknowledge and agree to the sharing of submitted personal data for evaluation purposes, with Heritage Network, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and evaluators SQW. Further information, including contact details for the Data Protection Officer and information on your rights under the UK GDPR, can be found on the Combined Authority’s online privacy notice: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Read our privacy policy

Do you have a brilliant heritage project — but aren’t sure how to fund it?
Join us for this practical and informative session designed to help you build a successful fundraising strategy tailored to the heritage sector.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to strengthen your approach, this event will help you:

✅ Assess your organisation’s funding readiness
✅ Define and clearly communicate the value of your heritage project
✅ Explore a range of funding options — from traditional grants to alternative income streams

This session is ideal for anyone working on heritage initiatives — from local history groups and cultural nonprofits to community-led preservation projects — who wants to secure the financial support they need to thrive.

Are you ready to turn your heritage project ideas into successful, fundable proposals?

This hands-on workshop for groups in West Yorkshire will help you bridge the gap between planning and pitching, giving you the tools to write strong, fundable applications tailored to the heritage sector.

You’ll learn how to:

✅ Structure clear, compelling funding proposals
✅ Craft persuasive narratives that highlight your project’s value
✅ Present supporting documents that strengthen your case
✅ Align your application with funders’ priorities and expectations

This session is perfect for anyone preparing to apply for grants or funding to support a heritage project—whether you’re new to bidding or looking to improve your success rate.

Strong leadership and governance are the backbone of a resilient organisation. In this workshop, we’ll demystify governance, clarify leadership roles, and share practical ways to make meetings more effective.  

You’ll leave with an understanding of best practices and policies and learn how to create a positive, well-structured decision-making culture within your organisation. 

How do you build meaningful relationships with your community and stakeholders? This workshop will help you identify who you should be engaging with, how to win over decision-makers, and ways to collaborate with local authorities and partners.  

You’ll Learn strategies to strengthen your organisation’s connections and expand your reach and impact. 

Volunteers are essential to heritage organisations—but how do you attract, manage, and retain them? This workshop explores different volunteer roles, best practices in volunteer management, and how to create an inclusive and rewarding experience for your volunteers.  

You’ll gain valuable insights into building a thriving volunteer network. 

Want to make your organisation more inclusive and accessible? This workshop covers digital inclusion, inclusive marketing, audience diversification, and practical steps to widen participation. 

You’ll learn how to break down barriers and ensure your heritage organisation is inclusive and welcoming to all. 

Want to make your organisation more inclusive and accessible? This workshop covers digital inclusion, inclusive marketing, audience diversification, and practical steps to widen participation. 

You’ll learn how to break down barriers and ensure your heritage organisation is inclusive and welcoming to all. 

This workshop will explore quick wins and long-term strategies to reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint, improve energy efficiency, and access funding for sustainable initiatives. 

You’ll leave with actionable steps to make your organisation more environmentally and financially sustainable.