What Are Some of the Barriers People Might Face When Engaging with Heritage?

What is this advice about?

This advice is for those whose project will work with communities or individuals who may face barriers when engaging with heritage projects. It may seem simple: that heritage is all around us and anyone can enjoy it, but many people and groups are excluded from the heritage sector.

Barriers preventing people from engaging with heritage are numerous and varied. They may be systemic or specific to an individual. Barriers can be as wide-ranging as a feeling that heritage is 'not for them' owing to their economic background, or because of a lack of accessibility in the venue where a project is being held.

What are the key points?

What barriers to engaging with heritage might people or communities face?

There are many reasons why communities, especially those underrepresented in heritage, do not engage with (or feel they can't get involved in) heritage projects.

Projects that prove the most successful aim to address specific barriers faced by the community they will be working with. Barriers may be particular to the area you are working in or specific to the community you are working with. If you can address these barriers, it is advisable to do so.

Tackling the barriers that prevent people from engaging with heritage isn't about trying to solve social or economic issues facing a community or area. It's about doing the work that you can do to ensure that your heritage project is as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Some barriers you may find participants face include:

Economic barriers

One of the most significant barriers preventing people from engaging with heritage is the personal cost it entails, whether as a visitor or a participant.

Museums, exhibitions, and galleries are not always free, which can deter people who may have less disposable income than others. Disabled households, for example, face an average of £970 extra a month in costs. For people on low incomes, benefits or pension credits, or those with caring responsibilities, travel or entrance costs to museums or heritage sites may be a significant portion of their available funds.

Museums and other heritage sites can also be challenging to access for those with limited financial resources for travel, and costs can accumulate throughout the day. These costs can create the perception that heritage is not a part of everyday life, but rather a luxury for those with more disposable income. To counter financial barriers and lessen this perception, you may consider offering free or subsidised entry if your project involves trips to heritage sites.

Ensuring events related to the project are within the reach of public transport can also lessen the financial burden on those who would otherwise need to seek private transportation to remote places, such as taxis or hire cars.

You could also consider building into your project plan that events and materials can be taken to places where communities already gather, such as community centres and village halls, and budget for refreshments at events relating to your heritage project to further reduce costs for participants.

Technological barriers

Technology is a part of most of our everyday lives, making it easy to forget that many people still face technological exclusion.

This can be for several reasons, such as a lack of funds or a lack of a permanent home address with internet access. Our 'Working with Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities' resource, for example, highlights how cultures with a nomadic element can lack access to the internet, and this may also apply to communities with higher rates of homelessness or individuals who simply have less experience with technology.

It is important, therefore, to ensure that your heritage project plans for this in line with the communities or individuals you know you'll be working with. If you are working with older people, for example, you may want to ensure that materials are available in both physical and digital formats. You may also want to ensure that events and plans involving technology that participants may not have access to are held in a communal space with shared access to computers.

Physical barriers

Many people may feel excluded from heritage projects because they are not physically able to access them.

Heritage sites can be challenging to access. They are often located in remote areas that are difficult to access and lack basic facilities, such as on-site toilets. Heritage sites may be old buildings with difficult terrains, stairways, and no ramps.

It is essential, therefore, to determine whether participants in your heritage project have accessibility issues and to ensure that no one is excluded due to this. Historic England has a handy accessibility checklist to help you assess venues you are considering.

You should plan your heritage project with every participant in mind and ensure difficult locations aren't chosen unnecessarily when a better alternative is available. For particularly inaccessible heritage sites, you may decide to create a virtual tour and allocate a budget for printed materials.

If your chosen location does have adequate facilities, you should inform participants in advance to ease any anxiety surrounding the topic. It is also important to identify potential barriers on your site, including the type of terrain, the presence of steps or stairs, the size of doorways, and the facilities available. Share the facts to let people make their own judgment on whether it is accessible to them.

Language and communication barriers

Many people may feel alienated from heritage projects because of existing or perceived language barriers. This may include individuals whose native language is not English and those whose first language is British Sign Language. It is also a barrier for people who need plain language, symbols, or easy-read information, including people with learning disabilities or those who are neurodivergent.

When possible, try to provide alternative languages for materials. If that isn't possible, try to make the materials in plain English so they are simple and easy to read. You may find our handy guide on how to approach working with refugees on projects helpful.

Perceptions that heritage is 'not for me'

Heritage projects may provoke internal feelings of 'this is not for me' or 'I don’t have enough knowledge to be here'. This can be for many reasons, such as newer communities in England feeling that their heritage is based elsewhere, underrepresented communities who do not see their heritage represented in the stories the heritage sector tells, or the perception that participants must already possess a lot of knowledge.

It is common for marginalised communities not to see themselves reflected in the way narratives are told in heritage projects and institutions. While this is changing, there is still a long way to go to ensure that a representative reflection of Britain's diverse cultures is accurately represented in our museums and galleries.

This lack of representation can lead to feelings of exclusion among individuals and communities who do not see their lives and experiences reflected or highlighted, creating a cultural barrier that suggests heritage is not for them, or for everyone.

This can be addressed in several ways, such as increasing the diversity of workforces, co-creating projects with communities, or exploring heritage outside traditional settings. For more information on this topic, read our comprehensive guide on addressing perception barriers.

Social barriers

While it has been demonstrated that incorporating heritage into people’s everyday lives offers numerous physical and mental benefits, social barriers can exist that hinder individuals from engaging with heritage.

Several communities have limited access to heritage sites or places due to being isolated by geography, residing in areas with poor transport connections, or having local heritage spaces that are not relevant or engaging to them. Similarly to economic barriers, the cost and location of heritage projects can create a sense of alienation among those who may struggle economically to participate. This, as well as projects that only highlight the heritage of particular social groups, can create a feeling that heritage is not for certain groups.

A further social barrier is for those who struggle with childcare commitments. You may wish to hold project events at communal spaces and locations where participants can bring their children. Alternatively, you could consider incorporating childcare into your project, with appropriate safeguarding policies in place. You can learn more about providing childcare here.

Conclusion

Heritage projects can be hugely beneficial to both individuals and communities. They are an excellent way of bringing people together through a shared interest, passion, or location. Projects also offer a valuable opportunity to bridge the gap between heritage and those who may not traditionally engage with heritage initiatives.

However, it is important to remember that communities, cultures, and individuals who have historically not engaged with heritage often haven't done so because of existing or perceived barriers. Aiming to tackle these specifically for those participating in your project can ensure that everyone who may benefit from it can do so.

Further reading

• Accessibility checklist guide: What Should I Check at a Venue to Ensure It Is Accessible?
• Guide to approaching potential barriers of perception in heritage: How Might Perceptions of Heritage Be a Barrier to Engagement?
• How Do We Address Barriers to Heritage Engagement for Disabled People?
• Tips on providing childcare as part of your heritage project
• Working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities
• Engaging with Refugee Communities
• Historic England's guide to producing an Access Rider