We know that for some grassroots community groups operating from older buildings, the heritage sector can seem distant or unrelated to the work they do on the ground, at the Heritage Network, we aim to change that.
As part of the Essential Networks project, our staff across the UK are offering outreach and support to community groups and ‘accidental’ heritage custodians in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The current target areas for this outreach work are Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon, Glasgow, and Neath Port Talbot, in line with the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Places.
The outreach support was developed in 2023 as part of a pilot project which focussed on offering dedicated support to small community organisations who were not necessarily heritage focussed but had taken on or were managing an historic building. The initial pilot was a success, with a discovery session to understand participants needs, 4 learning events, and support from the outreach officer.
Case study videos from participants of the project pilot can be found on our YouTube. (See embedded video below).
Initial contact building for the project has already begun in each of the areas, with staff in each nation looking for groups, and contacting funders and local authorities to get in contact with groups in each area to see who might benefit from the support. The outreach support has two main elements; Connect & Learn, a series of 6 free online learning and networking events, which will take place from October 2025 – March 2026, and dedicated support from these officers for project participants through enquiries, signposting to resources and visits to participant sites where possible.
If you are part of a group or know of a group in any of these areas who you think would benefit from support offered through this project, please get in contact with the relevant member of staff in your area.
