The Red List
of Endangered Crafts
From blacksmithing to basketry, from weaving to woodturning, we have an incredible range of heritage craft skills in the UK and some of the best craftspeople in the world. But many of these skills are in the hands of individuals who have been unable to make provision to pass them on.
The Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts, first published in 2017, was the first report of its kind to rank traditional crafts by the likelihood they would survive to the next generation, based on intangible cultural heritage safeguarding principles, led by Heritage Crafts, the only UK UNESCO-accredited NGO working primarily in the domain of traditional craftsmanship.
Donate to save an endangered craft (£5 for the 5th edition)
The list attracted extensive media coverage both in the UK and abroad, shining a light on heritage craft practices under threat from a number of identifiable issues. It is our hope that this research will act as a call to action to those who have it within their power to resolve or alleviate these issues, and that this project will mark the start of long-term monitoring of heritage craft viability and a shared will to avoid the cultural loss that is borne each time a craft dies.
Heritage Crafts is committed to updating the list on a regular basis, and so, with support from the Pilgrim Trust, over 900 organisations and individuals were contacted directly by email and telephone and invited to contribute to the research between September 2024 and May 2025. Participants were asked to provide background information about each craft, such as its history, techniques and local forms, as well as current information relating to the number of skilled craftspeople and trainees, and the ongoing issues affecting the viability of the craft, including the effects of the current energy crisis.
Each craft was then classified into one of four categories of endangerment using a combination of both objective criteria (such as numbers of crafts people and trainees) and subjective criteria (issues affecting the future viability of the craft including training opportunities and market trends). Issues affecting the viability of heritage crafts vary on a craft-by-craft basis, though many can be grouped, and possible solutions devised that will help many crafts practices become more viable.
For the purposes of this research, a heritage craft is defined as ‘a practice which employs manual dexterity and skill and an understanding of traditional materials, design and techniques, and which has been practised for two or more successive generations’. The research focuses on craft practices which are taking place in the UK at the present time, including those crafts which have originated elsewhere, and on those aspects of each craft with a high reliance on hand-work and which involve high levels of hand skill.
If you have any queries about the research, are aware of a heritage craft that is not listed, or have further information to add about any craft, please contact [email protected].
Latest Red List stories
Craft skills remain under threat with 20 new additions to the Red List of Endangered Crafts
Nine more grants to help save endangered crafts
Craft skills under threat with 17 additions to the Red List of Endangered Crafts
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#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee Rattan Weaver
Location: Leicester
Soane Britain`s mission is to design and make enduring and life-enhancing furniture, lighting, fabrics, and wallpapers, by working with a network of the finest craftspeople in Britain to preserve traditional skills for future generations.
Located in Thurmaston, Leicester, Soane Britain owns the only rattan weaving workshop in Britain, creating bespoke, high quality furniture and lighting using timber, cane and rattan. Due to the demand for rattan furniture, Soane are now recruiting a trainee rattan weaver who is interested in starting a long-term career with them.
Working closely with the Operations Manager and Senior Weavers, you will be responsible for wrapping and weaving furniture and frames ready for finishing. After receiving full on the job training, you will be responsible for completing your work on time, to the allocated hours per job, to specification and to the highest quality. You will also assist in any ad hoc workshop tasks as necessary.
Due to the nature of the small team at Leicester, the role will require a can-do attitude and the candidate must not be afraid to get stuck in with the task at hand, be enthusiastic and self-motivated. This role is suitable for someone with an eye for detail and the ability to achieve the excellent standards for which Soane Britain is well known.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
This week’s #mondaymaker is Debbie McCann @weeyarndesigns – a Dorset button maker.
Debbie graduated from Ulster University, Belfast, where she studied Fashion & Textile Design, specialising in Constructed Textiles. First discovering the Dorset button in 2015, Debbie designs and creates Dorset button jewellery, artwork and accessories using locally sourced yarn, as well as facilitating workshops on the craft. In 2013, she established her business, Wee Yarn Designs. Debbie’s accessories exhibit a clear contemporary edge while still acknowledging the use of traditional hand crafted skills.
View Debbie’s full profile on our maker’s directory: https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/maker/debbie-mccann/
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #dorsetbuttonmaking
We are profiling the recipients of our latest round of Endangered Crafts Fund grants.
Gail McGarva BEM @gailmcgarva.boatbuilder, from Dumfries and Galloway, has been funded to secure a barn to become the Traditional Boat Building Beacon, in which to teach regional clinker-built boat construction.
Gail’s grant is funded by the William Grant Foundation
Gail said: “Thank you so much to Heritage Crafts for awarding me an Endangered Crafts Fund grant in support of my project the Traditional Boatbuilding Beacon. It feels like a wonderful affirmation of my project and ignites hope for the future of the craft.”
📷 @alicia_canter
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Upholstery Technician
Location: North West
Upholstery2U is a fully mobile, on-the-go service that takes the workshop on the road, bringing expert furniture and equipment repair straight to the customer’s door. They are seeking an upholstery technician to join their growing team.
Responsibilities include:
-Assessing damage and diving into repairs – ripped gym pads, worn-out medical chairs, restaurant seating.
-Using industrial sewing machines, staple guns and more.
-Chatting with clients, offering solutions, and leaving them impressed.
-Keeping your van tidy and stocked
-Logging jobs and uploading before/after pics via our mobile app
-Getting stuff done — solo, efficiently, and with pride
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
Find out how to get your craft listed on the new Living Heritage in the UK inventory
We will be running two more online information session on Wednesday for anyone thinking of nominating their living heritage practice on the new Living Heritage in the UK inventory, launched by the government in December. This is part of Heritage Crafts’ new role as a Community Support Hub for the inventory.
Sign up for free via the Linktr.ee in our bio for online information sessions at 3pm and 6.30pm.
– Wednesday 14 January, 3pm to 4.30pm
– Wednesday 14 January, 6.30pm to 8pm
– Thursday 12 February, 3pm to 4.30pm
– Thursday 12 February, 6.30pm to 8pm
📷 @astrlfibres by @jesslowephoto
This week’s #craftfocus is sporran making.
The Scottish craft of sporran making incorporates a range of skills to create the traditional pouch worn with a kilt. These include leatherworking, hand sewing, belt making, taxidermy, metalwork, horsehair work and cantle making.
First, a pattern is cut for the body, which includes a front and back panel with an attached flap, and a long, thin strip called a gusset. Next, stitching holes are punched along the edges and a belt loop or D-rings are attached to the back panel so the sporran can be worn. These pieces are then sewn together by hand.
Finally, finishing touches are added, such as a closure (button or stud) and other embellishments on the front (tassels, fur or metalwork).
Sporran making is classified as endangered on our Craft Inventory. Threats include a lack of training opportunities and a difficulty accessing raw materials on a small scale in Scotland.
While the basic skills of sporran making, such as leatherworking, are easily accessible, the higher level skills of working with horsehair, skins and mixed materials are specialist and can only be learnt on the job with a skilled sporran maker. The market is also affected by competition from sporrans made cheaply overseas.
Image: Kate Robertson @robertsonkiltmakers
#heritagecrafts #craftfocus #sporranmaking
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Trainee Leather Artisan – Colour Restoration
Location: Newcastle
The Handbag Clinic is a luxury aftercare and resale service specialising in the restoration, authentication, and sale of designer handbags. They are seeking a creative individual to join their Artisan team.
The role involves working on a wide range of designer pieces, from brands such as Coach through to Hermès, supporting both direct-to-consumer repairs and aftercare services for luxury houses including Burberry, Bulgari, and Céline. A strong understanding of colour theory and an art-based background are essential, as precision, creativity, and attention to detail are key to delivering exceptional restoration work.
The role offers clear progression opportunities, including advancement to Artisan, Senior Artisan, and Technical Lead levels, as well as the chance to develop specialist skills such as working with exotic leathers or becoming an expert in Louis Vuitton replacement work.
Visit #matchMAKER via the linktr.ee in our bio to find out more.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
We are profiling the recipients of our latest round of Endangered Crafts Fund grants.
Mark Rochman, from Leeds, has been funded to gain bicycle frame making skills from Ellis Briggs Cycles and add bicycle making to the offering of @leedsbikemill, a workers cooperative currently offering bicycle repair and maintenance.
Mark’s grant is funded by an anonymous donation to the Endangered Crafts Fund.
Mark said: “I will be training to become an experienced bike frame builder with Paul at Ellis Briggs in Shipley. I hope to acquire the necessary tools to create a space to practice these skills here at Leeds Bike Mill, an organisation that is well-embedded in the Leeds cycling community. I hope to instill others with the same passion, curiosity and interest in steel bike frame building that I have, and perhaps one day create an inclusive and accessible space in Leeds for budding frame builders to share and practice their skills.”
