Toolkits
As part of the Heritage Enterprise Hub programme of free support sessions for the local heritage, cultural and community sectors (hosted between 2021-2023), the Culture and Community Engagement team developed a range of guides and toolkits to support you in your practice.
These are free to access and will be hosted here in PDF format. If you'd like us to prepare a guide or collection of resources for a specific topic, please get in touch at culture@beds.ac.uk
Toolkits
Accessing and Using Primary and Secondary Sources [PDF]
This sources toolkit is intended to introduce you to resources where you can find primary and secondary sources to help you in your heritage practice and research. It also provides some advice on how to analyse sources and how to use them accurately.
This toolkit is an introduction to the first steps of scoping out a project and is intended to support you with the initial considerations at the very beginning of a project, such as establishing interest in your idea, gauging interest and need, and finding networks and partnerships.
This toolkit is designed to give advice on the kinds of skills that we can transfer from other sectors for use in heritage projects. It’s especially focused on the kinds of skills we use in community-focused practice, the performing arts and theatre, and other creative skills, but also touches on the business skills that are essential to running successful projects.
Funder Spotlight: the National Lottery Heritage Fund [PDF]
This toolkit is adapted from a presentation made by Dawn Bainbridge, NLHF Engagement Manager. It is intended to introduce you to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, their activity in Luton and Bedfordshire, their priorities, and how you can apply to them for funding.
The Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation & the Let's Create Jubilee Fund [PDF]
This is the presentation made by Sarah Greene, BLCF Grants Manager. It introduces you to the BLCF as a funder, as well as the current Arts Council England funding available for cultural and community activity to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee in June 2022.
This toolkit is adapted from the presentation below. It covers project inception and planning, how to monitor project performance, a brief introduction to some project methodologies and an introduction to good partnerships.
Scoping a Project presentation [PDF]
Heritage Projects and Partnerships Officer Rae Leaver's presentation at our Scoping a Project event in March 2022.
Project Budgets presentation [PDF]
Arts and Culture Projects Manager Emma Gill's presentation at our session on Project Budgets in March 2022.
Embedding Evaluation presentation [PDF]
Arts and Culture Projects Manager Emma Gill's presentation at our session on Embedding Evaluation in March 2022.
The Wildlife Trust BCN and Bradgers Hill Wilder Futures [PDF]
This toolkit is adapted from a presentation made by Matt Sutcliffe, Communities and Wildlife Manager at the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Matt's presentation introduces the natural heritage project Bradgers Hill Wilder Futures which is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Introducing Bedfordshire Archives [PDF]
County Archivist Pamela Birch's presentation at our joint event, Spotlight on Bedfordshire Archives, in June 2022.