Local Studies should receive enough funding from their local authority to run its core services, including running some community engagement activities, however it is not long before you can identify ways that, with extra resources, you can make more of an impact.
This section of the toolkit offers top tips on the extra work required to turn a small project into a large one. The core principles and planning required to be undertaken before tackling a large project can be found it two key sections of the toolkit:
Linking into Local Authority priorities
Community engagement planning
…..plus
- Larger projects can focus on a particular local studies resource, so the appropriate pages in the Resources section of the toolkit will be of great use.
- The social media, exhibitions, websites, copyright and conservation sections may also be of great use.
Key areas to consider when you move towards a larger project:
Planning
Creating an activity or action plan is a good way to articulate your project and work out what you are trying to achieve, how you are going to do it and what it will cost. If you are thinking of applying for grant funding it is useful to start with your plan and a budget as this will help you to write the rest of the application. There is useful guidance on activity planning that you would need to use for any NLHF funded project but it can also be used for your engagement plan, including a template:https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/publications/activity-plan-guidance.
Inclusion
When creating a Local Studies project another good starting point is to think about a variety of entry levels for participants and how they can get involved. As noted in the community engagement section of the toolkit, these can range from exhibitions, talks and workshops to creative activity. You should also think about how the community can be involved in developing and managing your project, what are the volunteer activities, can you create a project community forum, perhaps even ask members of the community to be involved in the recruitment of project officers or consultants if required such as attending interview presentations.
Skills and training
Opportunities for training and learning new skills for both staff and volunteers should always be built into project costs, which provide important outcomes for building capacity within a community or your organisation to create and manage future projects; provide pathways to lifelong learning, further and higher education and employment; and improved well-being.
Websites
It is always tempting to create a website or other digital outputs for a project as they appear to be quick-wins. But think how these will be sustained after the lifetime of the project and when technology and formats change. There is probably a graveyard full of abandoned project websites! Having said that, digital outputs can be a brilliant way of engaging new and wider audiences so if you do choose this route think how can you build in on-costs for the future? A good tip is to include additional years of support from your developer in the budget and within your procurement. Many funders are realistic and happy for organisations to do this.
Got something to add?
Do you have any comments, suggestions or updates for this page? Add a comment below or contact us. This toolkit is only as good as you make it.
Read the next section of the toolkit: Finding out more about your target audiences
CILIP Local Studies Group 