Celebrating the GIFT of Life from our Heritage to our Future – Project Identity Card
Project Name: Celebrating the GIFT of Life from our Heritage to our Future: Heritage Lottery Fund support
Project Dates: 31 October 2013
Project Funded by: Heritage Lottery Fund
Celebrating the GIFT of Life from our Heritage to our Future: Heritage Lottery Fund support
GIFT has received a Young Roots grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project, Celebrating the GIFT of Life from our Heritage to our Future, in Moss Side, Manchester. Led by volunteers from the local community, the project focuses on the origins of the African Caribbean community from the Windrush Era and its impact on the identity of the Moss Side and Hulme communities.
The project will engage and celebrate the diverse community of Moss Side and Hulme which focuses on the arrival of post war immigrants on the Empire Windrush which sailed to England 65 years ago. Young people will have the opportunity to learn more about the heritage of the African Caribbean communities that settled there through the stories of their parents, grandparents and community members.
Celebrating the GIFT of Life from our Heritage to our Future – Project themes
The project will focus on the following themes:
- the anniversary of the landing of the Empire Windrush,
- the celebration of musical and dance heritage of African Caribbean Communities in Manchester since the landing.
- the celebration of diverse communities within Moss Side and Hulme during the past 20 years.
Activities will include visits and an exhibition at the People’s History Museum and a visit to the Maritime Museum, organising events in celebration of their achievements and opening up their heritage to the wider community. This will also help to leave a lasting legacy that will be developed through the young people’s creative gifts and talent for future generations to enjoy.
About GIFT
GIFT is an organisation that works with young people to help them to learn through supplementary school and personal development training. GIFT will help 25 young participants from Moss Side and Hulme involved in this project. Working with heritage professionals from People’s History Museum, North West Sound Archive and the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Archive participants will gain a deeper insight into this previously under-researched part of their history, as well as teaching them valuable new communication skills to use as they develop their educational and career aspirations.
Celebrating the GIFT of Life from our Heritage to our Future:
Comments from GIFT Founder and the Head of Heritage Lottery Fund
Commenting on the award, Henry Ngawoofah said:
“We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the project will support young people to be active citizens and positive role models with pride in their African Caribbean and African Heritage.”
Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said:
“The African Caribbean community has played a huge role in the development of the character of Moss Side and Hulme. This project will preserve this unique heritage by bringing stories to life and enabling the local communities to share their past.”
About GIFT
GIFT was set up in November 2003 to support young people and families into education, employment and training, through holistic intervention and prevention work, helping to improve young people’s life chances.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 35,000 projects with more than £5.3bn across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk.
You may find more GIFT projects here.
