About
the national charity for heritage crafts
What we do
Heritage Crafts is the national charity for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, we provide a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and work towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future.
We are a UNESCO accredited NGO for Intangible Cultural Heritage and an official Community Support Hub for the UK Governments’ Living Heritage in the UK inventory, having advocated for UK ratification of the UNESCO Convention of the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2010.
Our Mission
To support and promote heritage crafts as a fundamental part of our living heritage.
We do this through:
- Knowledge – researching the status of heritage crafts and identifying those crafts in decline or in imminent danger of being lost.
- Advocacy – communicating the vital importance of heritage craft skills to the public, Government, key agencies and organisations.
- Safeguarding – ensuring that the highest standard of heritage craft skills are passed from one generation to the next and are recorded for posterity where necessary.
- Support – supporting heritage craftspeople to continue to practice, nurture and pass on their craft.
- Engagement – actively raising awareness and interest in heritage craft skills with the wider public and offering opportunities to engage.
Our Values
Equity and inclusivity
Removing barriers to participation and fostering appreciation of heritage crafts across diverse communities
Credibility and authority
Reflecting the extensive expertise of our heritage craft communities
Collaboration and cooperation
Facilitating connection between makers, supporters and partner organisations
Sustainability and stewardship
Being mindful of the cultural, social, economic and environmental impacts of heritage crafts
Integrity and honesty
Operating openly, accountably and fairly
Continual learning and development
Safeguarding heritage skills by adapting to changing social, cultural and economic contexts
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When 50k of you have decide to follow us, we must be doing something right.
When we formed 16 years ago, we could never have imagined to have uncovered so many amazing makers doing incredible things to keep their craft skills alive.
The first Red List was published in 2017 and every two years since then and it’s impacting the public debate more than we could ever have imagined.
We’re about to start work on the 2027 edition – due to be published next May. We rely on makers to help us shape it so do get in touch, share our work and follow for updates.
Thanks for being part of our community and helping to keep the skills alive.
#heritagecrafts #redlistofendangeredcrafts #craft #netflixdocumentary
Day one of @thefestivalofmaking done! Come and join us for day two from 11am to 5pm at Blakey Moor Terrace, Blackburn.
Try your hand at endangered @heritagecrafts at the @thefestivalofmaking this weekend.
12.00pm shave a wheel spoke with Wheelwright @phillgregson
2.30pm try hand weaving with @fishbone.sycamore
4pm learn encaustic tile making with @welbyandwright
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England at our marquee at @craftfestival. It’s your last chance to go and see the @makesouthwest exhibition Staying Alive before it closes this weekend.
This weekend we are going north to Blackburn, where we will have makers demonstrating their work at the @festivalofmaking
We look forward to seeing you there!
#redlistofendangeredcrafts #heritagecrafts #craft
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England and our marquee at @craftfestival.
In our tent we featured the work @devongrowsflax @mottes_pots @stephs.midnight.flit @sthcoaststudio @devonshoe
This weekend we are going north to Blackburn, where we will have makers demonstrating their work at the @festivalofmaking . We look forward to seeing you there!
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England and our marquee at @craftfestival. It’s your last chance to go and see the @MakeSouthwest exhibition Staying Alive before it closes this weekend.
This weekend we are going north to Blackburn, where we will have makers demonstrating their work at the @festivalofmaking . We look forward to seeing you there!
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England and our marquee at @craftfestival. It’s your last chance to go and see the @MakeSouthwest exhibition Staying Alive before it closes this weekend.
This weekend we are going north to Blackburn, where we will have makers demonstrating their work at the @festivalofmaking . We look forward to seeing you there!
Amazing coverage of the incredible work of our makers who are keeping their craft alive.
Thank you to the BBC for showcasing endangered crafts in the Southwest of England and our marquee at @craftfestival. It’s your l
Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Laurence Knoop, a liveaboard narrowboater, is a self-employed ropeworker who has spent four years self-teaching traditional maritime decorative techniques under his business @spliceandfid. His bursary will fund intensive one-to-one training with Sue Pennison @rigging_and_ropework, covering rope making, solid decorative knotting for bell ropes and tillers, and specialised covering techniques such as needle-hitching and cross-pointing.
Laurence’s bursary is supported by the International Guild of Knot Tyers.
Laurence said: “Being offered this funding feels like a vote of confidence from the heritage crafts community in my pursuit of decorative ropework as a viable trade. The chance to seek one-to-one training from someone experienced in maritime ropework will be a real boost to my skills development, and I hope it will open up new possibilities for my work.”
Join us on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July at the National @thefestivalofmaking at Blakey Moor Terrace, Blackburn, where we’ll be featuring demonstrations and workshops of crafts featured on the Red List of Endangered Crafts.
During the Festival weekend, you’ll be able to meet some of the expert craftspeople practising endangered crafts, gain an insight into their work and understand the importance of passing these skills on.
Featuring:
• Ruth Farris and Bea Uprichard @fishbone.sycamore, silk weavers
• Phill Gregson @phillgregson, wheelwright
• Craig Peebles @welbyandwright, encaustic tile maker
• Jonathan Reid @ernestwrightltd, scissor maker
Confirmed workshops:
• Introduction to Jacquard Handweaving – 2.30pm – 3.30pm, Saturday and Sunday
• Join The Renaissance: Discover Encaustic Tile Making – 4pm to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday
For more information visit https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/events/national-festival-of-making-2026/ or via the linktr.ee in our bio.
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee Scissor Manufacturers
Location: Sheffield
Established in Sheffield in 1760, William Whiteley & Sons Ltd’s heritage spans over two centuries. Every pair of scissors they produce is meticulously hand-made, assembled, and tested by their skilled craftsmen, using techniques that have been honed and passed down through generations.
They are seeking motivated individuals to join their team as Trainee Scissor Manufacturers. This entry-level position offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the fabrication and assembly of high-quality scissors. The role is suitable for those interested in developing skills within metalworking and manufacturing environments, with a focus on learning and professional growth. Successful candidates will receive comprehensive training to support their development in this specialised craft.
This position offers an excellent pathway into specialised manufacturing roles, with comprehensive training provided to develop your technical expertise. They welcome applicants eager to build a career in metal fabrication and assembly within a supportive team environment.
Find out more including how to apply at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/matchmaker.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Emily Scholefield @esch.textiles, from Hampshire, is an artist and embroiderer with a background in ballet who recently completed a contemporary hand embroidery diploma with @handandlocklondon. Her bursary will fund one-to-one online mentoring with Stephanie Woodage of @enpointetutus covering tutu construction, a UAL short course in costume design, and essential equipment.
Emily’s bursary is supported by @costume_society.
Emily said: “I’m so grateful to be given this opportunity to learn tutu-making and develop my skills in costume design. I can’t wait to start the training and I’m really looking forward to creating my costume portfolio and starting my career making dance costumes.”
