Welcome to the Heritage Youth Partnership Newsletter
Happy New Year! As we settle into 2026, it's a joy to share some highlights from the last few months of the Heritage Youth Partnership. The work in collaboration with our brilliant Youth Voice Ambassadors continues, and we're thrilled to share Scarlett's blog below. Members of the YUF Team and I were lucky enough to attend two fantastic youth-led heritage events, where we saw and heard from the passionate young people first-hand.
Flora Ward - Project Manager for Heritage Youth Partnership
SCARLETT’S STORY
This month, we’re delighted to share a powerful Youth Voice story from Scarlett. She's a passionate Scout, whose journey from online Explorer calls during lockdown, to leading inclusive projects highlights the real impact of uniformed groups and local heritage. From litter-picking at Portchester Castle, where she realised she was part of the living heritage herself, to speaking at national events, Scarlett’s experiences show how heritage spaces and youth-led activity help build confidence, community and a sense of belonging. Her story reminds us that every young person adds to the story of our shared places and that giving them space to lead enriches both their lives and our heritage.
HOLOCAUST CENTRE NORTH TAKEOVER DAY
Heritage Youth Partnership was proud to support Holocaust Memorial Day through funding a Uniformed Takeover Day at the Holocaust Centre North. Scouts took part in a full day of learning and leadership, exploring the definition of the Holocaust, examining the roles of bystander, perpetrator, collaborator and rescuer, and engaging critically with survivor stories in the exhibition. They then worked creatively to design new exhibition ideas, visitor resources and displays focused on remembrance, moral choice and hope. The week concluded with the Centre’s Holocaust Memorial Day event, “Bridging the Generations,” bringing together survivor legacy, second-generation voices, remembrance of other genocides, and interfaith dialogue.
CHEVIOT AIRCRAFT PROJECT SHOWCASE
Last year, RAF Air Cadets from Durham Northumberland Wing presented their findings on a heritage project focused on historic aircraft crash sites in the Cheviot Hills. They researched the events and trekked to these locations, discovering extraordinary stories, including a dog that helped crash survivors and received a medal. The project also involved gathering oral histories, contributing to the preservation of local history. Their project continues this year, with plans to create leaflets sharing this rich heritage and accessible routes to some of the sites of interest.
WHO WE WORK WITH
