Young Advisers
Our Young Advisers are a group of 10 young people from across the country. They’re at the heart of our efforts to engage more young people with England’s heritage.
It can be hard to find an initiative that is for young people, with young people at the forefront. Allowing young people to take decisions and creative control has been incredible. It's been a wonderful lifeline of hope to see.
They work across our organisation, sharing their lived experiences, creating digital content and advising on a variety of projects and issues. Their main focus is our youth-centred History in the Making programme where they help decide which projects should be funded and play an essential role in shaping its future. We value their time and expertise, so all of our Young Advisers are paid.
The programme is also an opportunity to gain new skills and experience. Seeing the inner workings of Historic England, and meeting a range of heritage professionals, helps our Young Advisers develop professional knowledge and gain an understanding of the opportunities that are out there.
Meet our Young Advisers
I’m dedicated to expanding my knowledge in Arts, Culture, Heritage and Programming. I'm passionate about creating and evaluating opportunities for this sector to be inclusive and accessible for all, as seen in my own artistic practice. I’m excited to be inspired, challenged and connect with a range of young people.
As a lover of all things medieval, I am excited to use my background in history and museums to help shape how young people experience and value heritage.
I joined Young Advisers because I believe that everyone has the right to be connected to their heritage and local community. My specialty is the creative arts; I am studying at The BRIT School for Performing Arts, recently finishing a 2 year Extended Diploma in Applied Theatre.
Lillie, 19, she/her
As a Classics student from a working-class background, I am passionate about preserving history to be inclusive, accessible, and community-driven. I hope to foster initiatives to redefine what history means to young people, aiming towards improving mental health while conserving heritage. Outside of this, I enjoy art, baking, and walks.
Having grown up around the old buildings and ruins hidden deep in the countryside, I've always been fascinated by how the outlines of the past connect us to the present. I want to advocate for inclusion and accessibility in the heritage sector, as I think everybody should be able to take part in the history that surrounds them.
Maria, 23, she/her/they
I am a British- Dutch, East-African, socially engaged cultural practitioner committed to diversifying the sector and uplifting underrepresented voices. History is a living, breathing tapestry of stories, which should reflect the rich diverse voices and lived experiences of our communities. As a Young Adviser, I aim to reimagine how we engage with these histories.
I wanted to join the Young Advisers to learn more about how organisations are currently connecting young people with their local areas! I also have a deep interest in how the arts can be implemented at heritage sites to encourage inclusivity and creativity, which I hope to bring to the table.
Living across Europe and Asia, heritage sites have been valuable, giving me a sense of belonging. This has made me passionate about making heritage more accessible for young people, knowing its positive impact. I also believe in the importance of advocating for the contributions of young people in our understanding of and engagement with heritage. Therefore, I am excited to be a part of this work as a Young Adviser, also utilising my background in sociology
I wanted to join Young Advisers to help preserve local histories and heritage for a more diverse audience. Having worked in gallery settings I’m excited to draw connections between contemporary art and heritage preservation.
I joined the Young Advisor’s to stay actively engaged with history beyond my university studies. I hope to help create accessible and inclusive opportunities for young people to connect with the past and highlight perspectives and experiences that are often underrepresented.
Young Advisers has been an incredibly rewarding experience. This opportunity has expanded my knowledge of just what is out there and waiting.
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