A collaborative network joining together heritage organisations across the city of Exeter has been awarded funding to establish a dedicated volunteering and knowledge-sharing programme.
The Exeter Heritage Partnership (EHP) will transform its Exeter Heritage Champions project into a standalone entity thanks to a grant of £103,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The funding will enable the project to expand its operation and offer increased participation and skills-building opportunities to communities.
It will specifically support city organisations including St Nicholas Priory (Exeter Historic Buildings Trust), Exeter Custom House (Exeter Canal & Quay Trust), The Devon & Exeter Institution, RAMM, South West Heritage Trust, Tucker's Hall and the Historic Guildhall.
Henry French, Chair of the Exeter Heritage Partnership, and Professor of Social History in the Department of Archaeology and History, said: "We are very excited to begin the Exeter Heritage Champions, which is the only project of its kind. It will expand and share heritage volunteering opportunities by fostering collaboration and leave a legacy of new career opportunities and stronger governance and representation among Exeter's wonderful heritage sites."
The EHP is a collaborative network orchestrated by the city's heritage organisations to encourage knowledge-sharing across the sector. It is supported by the University of Exeter, Exeter Culture and Exeter City Council.
The funding will help to create new collaborations with partners outside the heritage sector, including CoLab and Hikmat Devon. An expanded training offer will include maximising skills across the network's partner organisations, plus an internship and mentoring programme, creating new competencies within the sector, and opening new career and leadership pathways to bolster sector resilience.
Belinda Dillon, Project Lead on behalf of Exeter Culture and Exeter Innovation, said: "Exeter has such a rich history, and this project will enable us to introduce a great many more people from across the city to our amazing Heritage assets, especially the smaller organisations. We are grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for allowing us to create more opportunities for people to get involved, and to develop ways for the sector to become more resilient."
