Hot on the heels of being announced as a national “Heritage Place” last month, Create North East Lincolnshire has been awarded another £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help build the heritage networks and activities in the area.
North East Lincolnshire was selected for a grant as an ‘Area of Focus’ for The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2019 due to low heritage investment and engagement. This provided opportunity to work with more people across the borough.
The area was awarded £250,000 from the Heritage Fund to create a ‘Heritage Starter Fund’ and establish a Heritage Network, which will grow as a result of this grant. Working in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire, the aim was to widen audiences for heritage and to ensure that heritage plays a key role in helping communities recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
As a result, new events, experiences and activities have been supported and grown from this seed corn investment – from the Grim Falfest for the last two Septembers, to sharing memories of Grimsby Town Football Club and protecting and enhancing iconic buildings like Weelsby Hall.
And now, building on that work, the next tranche of funding will focus on participation and engagement, strengthening heritage-led partnerships, and is part of a wider suite of investment from NELC, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and a £450,000 secured grant from Arts Council England to place heritage and culture at the heart of the regeneration of North East Lincolnshire.
Specifically this grant will support:
- Funding of staff to continue the legacy of the Heritage Starter Fund, Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone and NEL Heritage Network.
- Building a new schools network to bridge the gap between heritage practitioners and schools to ultimately engage more children and young people to participate in heritage activities.
- Freelance support to work with community organisations to develop their projects.
- A small revenue grants scheme to support developing community projects targeted at underrepresented groups and heritage themes, this will focus on natural heritage projects, children and young peoples’ participation and digital engagement.
- Continuation of the NEL Heritage Network, bringing people together who have an interest in heritage and in doing so encourage collaboration, deliver training and build resilience across NEL.
- Showcasing the work of Heritage Network collaborators.
- Work to build the case for heritage investment highlighting its wider social, economic and community benefits especially in regeneration programmes and to protect and enhance environmental assets.
Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for heritage and culture, said: “North East Lincolnshire is at a pivotal moment in our heritage led regeneration with a stronger than ever willingness for organisations, individuals, NELC and funders to work together to maximise the opportunities developed through investment.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We are delighted to award this grant, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, to build on the fantastic work done through the Heritage Starter Fund, Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone and NEL Heritage Network to connect people with the unique and rich heritage of the area.
“We know that funding heritage is a key element in boosting the local economy, benefitting local people and furthering a sense of pride amongst communities. This is why we’re really proud to continue our strategic support of North East Lincolnshire, one of our new Heritage Places, and contribute to the important partnership work for the heritage-led regeneration of Grimsby and Cleethorpes.”
Cllr Dawkins continued: “We’re working hard to build skills and experience in the local community, both in heritage and culture, and I look forward to this prospering in the future.”
