Leeds Civic Trust Community Heritage Fund 2021

In a new partnership with Leeds Civic Trust, the Community Heritage Fund supports grassroots activity that promotes the best of Leeds and its communities. Projects will explore, share and celebrate the rich and diverse histories, heritage and stories of the city. 

With a particular focus on learning about histories and heritage that might be considered ‘hidden’ or not widely known, the Fund awarded grants of £10,000 to £20,000 to 8 Community Organisations. Over £140,000 was invested in total. 

The organisations that were awarded funding are: 

• • • • Advonet 
      • Ahlulbayt Cultural Centre 
      • Balbir Singh Dance Company (BSDC) 

• • • • Jamaica Society Leeds 
      • Leeds Music Trust 
      • Little London Arts 
      • South Asian Arts-UK (SAA-UK) 
      • St Luke’s Cares 

The funded projects include: 

• • • • A heritage project to capture the stories and journeys to Leeds, of primary diaspora community founders. 
      • Exploring how the lives of learning disabled and neuro-divergent people of Leeds, and the attitudes of the wider community, have changed over time. 
      • Activities illuminating the Jamaican and wider West Indian presence in Leeds, celebrating heritage, culture and art. 

• • • • Uncovering the hidden heritage of Beeston’s former cinema and the area’s local communities. 

Organisations will be delivering their community heritage projects over the next two years, and will be sharing stories more widely, connecting with and inspiring people across the city. 

You can catch Martin Hamilton, Director of Leeds Civic Trust, and Kate Singleton, CEO of St Luke’s Cares who were funded through the programme, on our June 2023 #GiveLoveLeeds podcast episode Investing in Creativity: The Importance of Funding Arts, Culture, and Heritage Community-Based Projects. 

For more information on grants awarded, visit the What We’ve Funded page.