About

the national charity for heritage crafts

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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.

View our documents

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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Robert Ely, @papilionaceouspuresilk a silk ribbon maker, in conversation at @craftfestival

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Robert Ely, @papilionaceouspuresilk a silk ribbon maker, in conversation at @craftfestival

John Williamson @johnwilliamson.dartmoor – Devon stave basket maker, interviewed by @bramblecarpentry

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John Williamson @johnwilliamson.dartmoor - Devon stave basket maker, interviewed by @bramblecarpentry

Dr James Fox inspired a room full of craft festival visitors with his words on makers, crafters, heritage and creative industries.

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Dr James Fox inspired a room full of craft festival visitors with his words on makers, crafters, heritage and creative industries.

James Ashwell is a clay pipe maker from @mottes_pots and he shared a few stories about his world of making.

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James Ashwell is a clay pipe maker from @mottes_pots and he shared a few stories about his world of making.