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Future of the Past: Engaging Youth in the Art of Storytelling





Future of the Past, a youth-focused heritage initiative is underway across Lincolnshire. Led by music charity SoundLincs, the project offers a creative approach to local history.

Building on the success of a pilot program conducted between 2020 and 2022, The Future of the Past Project is inspiring a new generation to engage with Lincolnshire’s rich cultural history. Made possible by funding from The National Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional support from the South and East Lindsey Partnership, West Lindsey District Council, and South Kesteven District Council, this project connects young people aged 11-25 with the heritage sector in innovative and meaningful ways.


Spearheaded by SoundLincs, The Future of the Past Project spans six significant heritage sites across Lincolnshire: Spalding Gentleman’s Society, Gainsborough Heritage Centre, Baldock’s Mill in Bourne, Fydell House in Boston, The Joseph Banks Centre in Horncastle, and Sleaford Museum. Additionally, it includes outreach to the Boston Lithuanian Community Group, fostering connections with Lincolnshire’s diverse Eastern European communities.


Participants, guided by Cultural Facilitators, are collaborating with heritage volunteers to create engaging, youth-focused outputs. These projects aim to attract younger and more diverse audiences to local heritage venues while giving participants hands-on opportunities to develop valuable skills. From animation and plays to fashion shows and documentaries, the youth-led activities offer fresh and dynamic ways to explore and celebrate Lincolnshire’s history.


In the words of Nicola Grayson, Project and Development Manager at SoundLincs: “Through this project, we are supporting venues to become more sustainable, diverse, and creative. Heritage volunteers will gain new skills, develop new networks, and learn how to reach new audiences. We hope that the young creatives who get involved will feel at home in Lincolnshire's heritage and its venues and will seek to become volunteers of the future, securing the Future of the Past!”


The project doesn’t just focus on preserving history—it also aims to ensure the sustainability and relevance of heritage sites by creating stronger ties between venues and their communities. Collaborating with partners like Transported Arts, Lincolnshire County Council, Paradigm Arts, Cultural Solutions, Heritage Lincolnshire, and Taylor Made Arts, The Future of the Past Project combines creativity, community, and cultural preservation to pave the way forward.


To find out more about SoundLincs and the Future of the Past Project, head to www.soundlincs.org.

SoundLincs, SoundHouse,

18 St Martins Lane, Lincoln, LN2 1HY

01522 510073

Soundlincs Logo, Music Charity, Lincolnshire Music

Registered Charity: 1086483

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