Heritage Online Debate
In issue 10 of Heritage Online Debate we asked for views from across the heritage sector on the impact of Covid-19 and the associated restrictions.
Supporting the Heritage Sector to Manage the Impact of Coronavirus
In such challenging and uncertain times for everyone, we are working hard to protect and champion heritage which is a source of well-being and collective identity. We are collaborating with a number of heritage organisations to:
- share information and expertise
- provide support and guidance
- understand the impact of the current situation on the heritage sector
Work is currently focused across five key areas:
COVID-19 Emergency Response Funding
Our Culture Recovery Fund pages provide details about current and previous funds available to sector organisations.
If you are one of our existing grant recipients, please read our updated guidance.
Heritage Sector Response Group
This group of national heritage organisations has come together to assess the impact on heritage, to share information and to co-ordinate support and action.
The attendees are drawn from across the national Historic Environment Forum and include, amongst others:
- Historic England
- Historic Houses
- National Lottery Heritage Fund
- National Trust
- The Heritage Alliance
The group is at present focussing on immediate responses but will refocus on longer term considerations as soon as possible.
Working with the Government
We are in daily contact with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and have regular contact with the Heritage Minister to discuss heritage issues, including initial responses and for longer-term planning.
The Heritage Alliance is also gathering concerns and questions from its members and sharing these with both Historic England and the DCMS so that the immediate challenges to the independent heritage sector can be understood.
Please feed immediate questions and concerns to The Heritage Alliance on [email protected]
Assessing the impact on heritage
We are working closely with the heritage sector to collate comprehensive and consistent information on the impact of Coronavirus. We need to make sure that we have reliable data and evidence on how all parts of the sector have been affected, so that we can respond quickly and effectively.
As well as the considerable impact on tourist sites, we will collect data on the impact on small businesses, craft skills specialists and heritage crime so that we can best plan for the recovery phase.
If you would like to contribute ideas on the data that should be collected or send us evidence of how you have been impacted, please email [email protected]
Other support
The Heritage Alliance is providing up-to-the-minute advice and information for its members and all those heritage organisations affected by the virus. The Heritage Alliance is the umbrella body that unites over 150 independent heritage organisations in England. Their information is regularly updated so do keep an eye on it.
Government has published advice for members of the public searching for archaeological finds during the pandemic.
Our advice on reopening heritage locations will help you find guidance and think through considerations for reopening or returning to work at historic sites, including retail and visitor attractions.
If you run a business based in or on a historic building we have specific advice on how to look after and make changes to it.
Our grant assistance to owners of historic commercial buildings is focused through our Heritage Action Zone programme. Unfortunately, we cannot offer grants to support local businesses outside that scheme but there are a number of other external sources that may be able to help.
Our summary of Government support for businesses
The British Library is running a series of webinars for small business owners transform and grow their businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.
We outline updates to the planning response to the pandemic in our monthly Planning Bulletin. However, given the fast-moving nature of responses to the pandemic we would recommend checking websites including gov.uk, the Local Government Association and the Planning Advisory Service.
- Read the Local Government Association's FAQs on planning and coronavirus impacts
- See the ALGAO and Cifa statement on archaeology in the planning system
- View the Planning Inspectorate Guidance on site visits, hearings, inquiries and events
- See our advice for general information on the planning system
Historic England produces a very wide range of guidance and training. If you’re taking some time to catch up on your professional development, you could:
- Explore our most recently-published advice and guidance
- Read our technical advice aimed at anyone working on heritage projects. This section provides practical guidance on surveying, managing and caring for historic buildings and their settings, as well as specialist techniques for investigating heritage
- Learn more about how the planning system works to protect historic places
- Use our online learning resources to build your knowledge. These are aimed mainly at heritage and built environment professionals or interested individuals.
There are many other heritage organisations that are providing support in a number of ways:
- Historic Houses - Historic Houses is working to support and regularly update its members with the latest information
- The Heritage Alliance - The Heritage Alliance is hosting a COVID-19 information hub, which contains advice, announcements and useful links
- National Lottery Heritage Fund – support and advice for grant holders and the wider sector is on their website and blog
- Architectural Heritage Fund - The AHF has committed to supporting their loan clients, grant holders and applicants at this challenging time
- Industrial Heritage Networks - The website is regularly updated with advice and information for industrial heritage organisations
- The Collections Trust and the Institute of Conservation have developed resources for those managing collections
- The Royal Institute of British Architects is collating information for architects and practices
The £95 million government-funded High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme, delivered by Historic England, will unlock the potential of high streets across England, fuelling economic, social and cultural recovery. From Plymouth to Hexham, 68 historic high streets have been offered government funding.
Other grants and funding
Many other organisations in the sector provide targeted grants and support for particular types of heritage or organisation. Some of these are new schemes to provide support during COVID-19, while others are part of a continuing programme of grants.
This page provides links to some of the schemes available nationally, but it may not be comprehensive. Other, regional, schemes may also be available, for example through your local Community Foundation.
The Heritage Alliance Funding Hub may also be a useful source of information.
Our other advice pages cover:
This page will be updated regularly and is correct at the time of publication.
National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is now accepting small and medium grant funding applications through its National Lottery Grants for Heritage. They are also offering Heritage Recovery and Resilience Loans.
Grants for buildings, monuments or collections
- Pilgrim Trust: continues its grant programme for conservation projects for buildings, monuments and collections
Historic Places of Worship
- Allchurches Trust: Existing grant schemes are open, along with resources and advice online
- ChurchCare grants: ChurchCare is the Church of England’s national resource to support its parishes, dioceses and cathedrals
- National Churches Trust: The Trust continues to operate its grant schemes for repair and maintenance
Maritime heritage
- The Honor Frost Foundation offers grants to promote the advancement and research of maritime archaeology
Museums
- Association of Independent Museums provide grants for members to support training, conservation and development
- The Art Fund offers various grant programmes, including funding for small projects, professional networks and acquisitions
- Arts Council England has reopened its National Lottery Project Grant programme, which supports individuals, organisations, museums and libraries
