Our experienced team work with a range of clients, including community groups, learning providers, arts organisations, volunteer groups, visitor attractions as well as heritage and museum sites, to develop and deliver audience focused heritage engagement. The end products have been varied: from programmes and plans supporting strategic developments and funding applications to digital products, training and skills resources and creative projects and installations.
We work with you to creatively use heritage to build sustainable relationships with your communities. From inception to delivery we can support your project with a range of people-focused services.
Our services include
- Getting to know your audiences, and any barriers to participation, through targeted consultation
- Planning creative heritage experiences and volunteer engagement opportunities
- Writing fully evidenced Activity Plans/Statements and Audience Development Plans
- Reviewing and refocusing existing engagement planning
- Advising on grant-funding opportunities
- Identifying skills and learning needs
- Supporting skills development through training
Some of our projects
High Streets Heritage Action Zone – Community Engagement Planning
In 2019 we developed a robust and well-evidenced outline programme for two Historic High Street Heritage Action Zones in the East Midlands.
Working to a tight timescale we surveyed public interest and barriers to engaging in cultural activities in the high street, developed (with partner organisations) a dynamic and inclusive range of local, place-based themed activities that could form part of a cultural programme. We were later commissioned by HE to support the project delivery phase, including with training for people working with their communities. projects.
Learning resources for Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme
As part of the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme operating in Sunderland City Centre until 2023 we produced a learning resource to help KS1 and KS2 pupils explore heritage spaces and places in Bishopwearmouth. Pupil followed the interactive, digital Building Detective Trail which is accessible through the OurPlace mobile learning platform created by Newcastle University. We collaborated with Hudson Road Primary School who piloted the trail for us.
Using the historic environment, pupils discovered the story of Bishopwearmouth and its development from a medieval village to becoming part of the bustling Edwardian centre of Sunderland, through to the present day. The pack includes pre-visit and post-visit activities as well as a detailed plan for a visit to Bishopwearmouth with printable worksheets to complete.
“We completed the trail, and it was fantastic … The booklets were great and really supported the children.” Hudson School Primary Teacher
Community engagement with the Black Country Local Heritage Listing Project
In 2022-3, we assisted the Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley Local Authorities with the review and updating of the Black Country Local Heritage Lists. We worked with a range of communities to encourage nominations, including groups with a specialist interest in the historic environment, such as national and local amenity societies, as well as local clubs and heritage societies. An important part of this process was creating a database of contacts, a communication plan for the project, and putting in place community facing tools and presentations and social media posting to engage and inspire people to join in the Local Listing process.
Kingsley Hall ‘Making Young Lives Matter’ Activity and Interpretation Planning
Throughout 2023-4 we collaborated closely with youth charity, 1625 Independent People, as part of their Stage 2 NLHF application for £5 million for the restoration and reuse of their flagship building in Bristol.
We delivered their Interpretation Plan and directed the completion of an extensive Activity Plan and Volunteering Programme, assisting the charity’s staff to develop an authentically co-produced programme that placed young people (the primary target audience) at the heart of decision-making and embedded heritage activities within the organisation’s core skills and training offers.
Creative co-production workshops and activities with young people and staff at 1625ip
Shrewsbury Castle Audience Development Plan
Following the successful completion of our Conservation Management Plan for Shrewsbury Castle, the TDR team was commissioned by Shropshire Council to create an Audience Development Plan and Feasibility Study to gather stakeholder views and recommend future options for its use. A following ‘feasibility study’, supported with design work by Arrol Architects, will balance the financial imperative against the importance of maintaining a heritage site that will attract future visitors and provide spaces for activities and events that will benefit the town, its businesses and improve on the historical importance it currently enjoys.
Shrewsbury Castle, an oasis in the heart of the thriving town, in 2023.
Find out more
If you would like to discuss how we can help with your own project, get in touch with us here.
We also carry out a range of training and CPD opportunities, which includes community engagement and how to develop creative and exciting activities for your heritage sites.