Shaping the Future

In 2006 NBHA was awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to set up a new education project.

The two-year project, called Northamptonshire Black History: Shaping the Future, aimed to focus on the collected memories and heritage resources of the NBHA making them accessible through a range of media to a wider audience.

The three main activities of the project included:

• To develop and promote Black British History Packs linked to the National Curriculum
• To deliver Community Learning Projects
• To work with Northampton Museums to integrate Black History with the interpretation available at local museums

The 2004/5 annual QCA report along with research produced by Northamptonshire Black History Project and the University of Northampton recognised the importance of Black British History within the school curriculum. Shaping the Future responded to that need developing Black British History curriculum packs to be used by teachers in primary and secondary schools, as they include Black British History in children’s learning.

The Community Learning projects saw NBHA continuing to develop its established links with individuals and organisations from local communities and worked with them to deliver heritage-related projects.

Shaping the Future also worked with Northampton Museums to help ensure that Black British History is represented appropriately within collections and interpretation at local museums.