Historic Buildings

#HP Pathways to the Past and Future: Involving volunteers and connecting communities in Medway to their heritage

Pathways to the Past and Future is a transformative volunteering programme connecting Medway’s communities to their rich heritage and culture. Supported by the Heritage Lottery, the project will inspire new and diverse individuals to begin their volunteering journey with heritage organisations, while helping those organisations create high-quality, inclusive opportunities for local people. Delivered in partnership with Medway Council as part of the Medway Heritage Place programme, it builds on roundtables and community engagement already undertaken. The project focuses on removing barriers to participation and co-producing opportunities with partners to ensure volunteering is accessible and welcoming to all. Aligned with Medway’s Cultural Strategy, the programme will support more people to discover, connect with, and contribute to heritage in meaningful ways. Through participatory, community-led activity, it will build confidence, develop skills, and foster pride and belonging, while helping the heritage sector strengthen resilience and grow a more inclusive volunteer base.