Heritage Matters

Results from the Heritage Open Days programme (HODs) in 2016 have shown how much people across the country value their heritage. The programme resulted in a record high of 5,293 events involving 40,000 volunteers.

The Heritage Open Days theme ‘Treasure Your Treasures’ invited people from all walks of life to share what they valued in their local areas, responding to rising concerns that local heritage and cultural spaces are coming under increased threat due to economic and planning pressures.

The programme’s impact report indicates that:

• 87% of visitors felt HODs made them appreciate their local area more
• 75% of visitors said HODs made them feel more part of their local community
• 76% of volunteers said HODs made them feel more pride in their local area/heritage