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Heritage Skills Hub logo (Heritage Project)

Empowering Local Heritage and Culture: Our Free Training Programmes

Tailored training to meet our community’s needs

Are you passionate about preserving and promoting your community’s heritage and culture? Here’s your chance to learn and grow! Whether you’re a heritage or cultural professional, an educator, or simply involved in local initiatives, we offer a variety of free events and training programmes designed to empower you.

The Heritage Skills Hub works closely with our community to develop needs-driven online and in-person training sessions and events. We collaborate with the Heritage Impact Accelerator participants, regional partners, and colleagues to ensure our programmes address your specific needs.

Here’s what makes our programmes stand out:

  • Free access: All our workshops and events are completely free of charge.
  • Tailored content: We design each programme specifically to meet the unique needs of our local heritage and cultural community.
  • Expert instruction: Learn from experienced professionals who are passionate about their field.
  • Practical skills: Our workshops focus on providing you with practical tools and techniques you can use immediately.
  • Community support: We offer support and resources to help you implement your learning and contribute your community.

Ready to learn and contribute? Contact us for more information at heritage@northampton.ac.uk

Upcoming Events

See below for further details of our upcoming events, including how to book.

If you would like to receive updates about our programme, please email heritage@northampton.ac.uk to request to go on our mailing list.

Find our more about the Heritage Skills hub past events since the programme’s launch in July 2023.

  • Cultural Cuppa artwork by Carole Miles. The artwork is abstract, featuring a triangular shape with a handle and branch-like patterns, set against a multicolored background. A circular design with similar patterns is above.
    Artwork by Carole Miles

    Join the Heritage Skills Hub for a casual and informative get-together.

    The Cultural Cuppa is a great opportunity to network, learn, and discuss issues related to culture and heritage. The event will feature a 15-minute “get inspired” talk, followed by a chance to chat with others and share ideas.

    What to Expect:

    • Inspiring Talks: Hear about exciting cultural and heritage projects happening in the county.
    • Open Discussions: Discuss topics that matter to you and contribute to future sessions.
    • Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals and share ideas.
    Upcoming Sessions
    Wednesday 5 February 2025
    • Time: 4 – 6pm
    • Location: The Engine Shed, University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, NN1 5PH
    • Get Inspired by: Jack Pishhorn, Head of Service for Culture, Tourism and Heritage for North Northants Council.
    • Topic: Updating on current news and projects in the north of the county.
    • Book your free ticket
    Wednesday 2 April 2025
    • Time: 4 – 6pm
    • Location: The Engine Shed, University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, NN1 5PH
    • Get Inspired by: TBC
    • Topic: TBC
    • Book your free ticket

    If you are interested in culture and heritage, this event is a great way to connect with others who share your passion.

  • Join UON Archivist Mandy Morgan for two interactive workshops aimed at equipping you with the necessary tools and knowledge to start your own archiving projects.

    View of stacks in UON's archive. A narrow aisle between two shelves filled with brown archival boxes, in a well-lit storage room with a carpeted floor.

    Overall, these workshops are designed to help you:

    • Get started with archiving your own materials
    • Confidently evaluate the significance and value of materials.
    • Understand the basic principles of archival practice
    • Gain insights from experienced archivists

    Who Should Attend:

    • Individuals interested in preserving personal or family history
    • Community groups and organisations
    • Students and researchers
    Workshop 1: An Introduction to Archiving
    • Date: Thursday 23 January 2025
    • Time: 4 – 6pm
    • Location: UON Development Hub, Cliftonville Road NN1 5FS
    • Book your free ticket

    Content:

    • How to set up an archive
    • Key considerations for archiving
    • A tour of the UON archive
    Workshop 2: Appraising a Collection
    • Date: Thursday 27 February 2025
    • Time: 4 – 6pm
    • Location: UON Development Hub, Cliftonville Road NN1 5FS
    • Book your free ticket

    Content:

    • Deeper dive into technical archival practices
    • Collection appraisal techniques

  • QSpace logo

    Join us for an informative and engaging LGBTQ+ Awareness Training session hosted by Q Space who support the LGBTQ+ community in Northamptonshire.

    • Raise Awareness: Deepen your understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and challenges.
    • Foster Empathy: Gain insights into the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
    • Promote Inclusivity: Learn how to create a more inclusive and supportive environment.
    • Develop Practical Skills: Acquire tools to effectively communicate and interact with the LGBTQ+ community.

    There are two dates and locations to choose from:

    Monday 10 February 2025
    Thursday 13 February 2025

  • Join Pieta Greaves ACR, conservator to learn about caring for your object or archive material. This course will provide a basic overview of the key aspects of collections care and how to apply them to your collection.

    A group of people in a room examines various historical objects on tables, including swords, pottery and tools, under bright lighting.

    • Understand the range of collections issues that are likely to impact their collections, including object handing, materials for storage and display, storage, and condition assessments.
    • Be able to carry out a risk assessment for your collection.
    • Understand the agents of deterioration and how they can mitigate risk to their collections.
    • Understand what to do in the case of an emergency or damage to collections.
    Monday 17 February 2025

  • Join our exciting second Annual fair and connect with educators.

    Exhibit: Showcase your unique educational programs, resources, and opportunities for school visits.

    Present: Share your expertise by leading an engaging workshop or talk on a relevant heritage education topic.

    Visitors gather around a table with historic artifacts on display at the Heritage Education Fair. Some converse, while others examine the items.

    • Dedicated exhibition space to showcase your offerings.
    • Networking opportunities with other heritage professionals.
    • Access to a captive audience of motivated educators.
    • Host a workshop or talk (limited spaces)
    • Marketing and promotional opportunities to reach a wider audience.
    Friday 7 March 2025

  • National Lottery Heritage Fund logo

    We are delighted to welcome members of the Engagement Team from National Lottery Heritage Fund to campus for a ‘Get to Know Us’ session.

    • Find out more about what a heritage project looks like and how to apply for funding.
    • Meet members of the Engagement Team from the Heritage Fund who will be available to discuss your project ideas.Learn about the four investment principles underpinning Heritage 2033, the Heritage Fund’s current 10-year strategy.
    Monday 10 March 2025
    • Time: 11am – 12pm
    • Location: Leathersellers Hide, University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, NN1 5PH
    • Book your free ticket
    Surgeries
    • A limited number of surgeries with NLHF are bookable in advance via email to heritage@northampton.ac.uk
    • You will need to have a thought-out project idea and budget outline.
    • If you require support prior to this then contact the Heritage Projects Team at heritage@northampton.ac.uk

  • CC by 4.0 licence logoThe images in this collection of digital assets are protected by intellectual property rights. The digital assets produced with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund are released under Creative Commons open licences and tools. These materials are free for you to download and reuse under the terms below.

    These images are marked with the CC BY 4.0 licence, therefore you are free to:

    • Share – copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
    • Adapt – remix, transform and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

    Under the following terms:

    • Attribution – users must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the licence, and indicate if changes were made in a reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests we endorse the user or use.

    These materials are protected by copyright and have been openly licensed for any reuse purpose, if these terms are followed. Learn more about the CC BY 4.0 licence on the Creative Commons website.

Logos of the Heritage Project partners: University of Northampton, University of Bedfordshire, and National Lottery Heritage Fund

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