Derbyshire secures funding to support heritage skills development

Derbyshire County Council has secured a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a new two-year countywide programme to support heritage skills development.

Derbyshire County Council has secured a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a new two-year countywide programme to support heritage skills development.

The Derbyshire Makes History two-year programme will celebrate the county’s heritage of makers and innovators and will support the sector through tailored skills development initiatives to strengthen the local cultural economy. 

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK's heritage. Derbyshire Makes History is made possible with a grant of £249,950 from the Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, the county council is able to deliver this countywide programme.

Derbyshire Makes History will complement the wider three-year Derbyshire Makes programme with an exclusive heritage focus and will support the local cultural and heritage sectors through:  

• Small grants programme: which aims to support the heritage sector to take part in the Derbyshire Makes Festival. The grants of between £300-£2,000 will be administered through an online application process managed by the county council. 
• Short films: commissioning of six new short films celebrating Derbyshire’s industrial heritage.
• Mobile outreach: with Derby Museums’ The Makory touring to communities with a free exhibition and hands-on activities.
• Sector support: including Peer to Peer mentoring, Volunteer and Trustee development, and a Heritage Crafts Bursary scheme. 

The primary focus will be Derbyshire’s industrial heritage of making and the programme will explore and celebrate four key industries: Textiles/Knitting, Ceramics, Mining and Quarrying

Councillor Rob Reaney, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: “Derbyshire has a rich industrial heritage of making which is to be celebrated. It’s great news for local residents that we’re able to deliver this countywide programme to strengthen the local cultural economy, support the creative and heritage sector in our local communities, and hopefully inspire the next generation of makers so that the county’s legacy of creativity and craftmanship lives on."

Liz Bates, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re pleased to support Derbyshire Makes History as we celebrate awarding a total of £2bn of National Lottery and other funding to projects across the Midlands & East of England. Heritage skills connect people to their past, their place and to their potential and help us to maintain and care for the legacy of generations that came before us. This countywide programme will help individuals discover new opportunities and support prosperity by boosting creative industries.”

Activity developed through Derbyshire Makes History will be showcased in Derbyshire Makes Festival taking place across the county from 11th April to 16th May 2026, including a day in each of our six Hub towns

Derbyshire Makes is a three-year programme funded by Arts Council England’s Place Partnership fund, which uses money from the National Lottery, and Derbyshire County Council

Derbyshire Makes aims to shine a spotlight on the county’s extraordinary making heritage and creative and cultural industries and get more people involved in making in all kinds of forms

Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “It's great to hear that Derbyshire County Council has received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for this exciting project. It will support the wider Derbyshire Makes programme, which uses money from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Place Partnership Fund.

“Culture plays a vital role in bringing communities together. It makes people feel happier and take pride in the place that they live. Derbyshire Makes, and Derbyshire Makes History, will build on the county’s rich heritage of making, to inspire and enable more people to enjoy, and take part in, high quality creative and cultural experiences on their doorstep.”

For more information, how to get involved, and to apply for the small grants programme, visit www.derbyshiremakes.co.uk/history, and sign up to the mailing list. Follow on social media: Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn @DerbyshireMakes