Strong & Sustainable: Developing Successful Heritage Regeneration Projects

Led by the project managers for the 'Reawakening' project, Rosie Fraser Associates, this introductory-level workshop explores what makes for a successful heritage regeneration project.

The workshop is aimed at those new to these projects, whether that be community or volunteer groups, charities, local authority staff, or anyone else interested in undertaking a heritage regeneration project for community benefit.

The 2 hour workshop will introduce the concept of heritage regeneration projects as well as key heritage funder, the National Lottery Heritage Fund. We will explore what makes, from our experience, a succesful heritage regeneration project. We will be structuring the training around the National Lottery Heritage Fund's four funding principles of:

1. Saving Heritage
2. Protecting the Environment
3. Inclusion, Access and Participation
4. Organisational Sustainability

As we explore these for principles, we will cover the ways you can develop and scope your heritage regeneration project, including:

• Identifying and justifying the need: people, place and building
• Procuring the right professional services
• Considering Conservation, Environmental Sustainability and Renovation
• Realistic Programming, Budgeting and opportunities for phasing
• Heritage Activities and Engagement
• Financial viability and funding options

The workshop with conclude with our recommended first steps for you to take on your project journey.

The workshop will take place at Hope Community Methodist Church, Newark on Trent, as St Mary Magdalene is now under construction.

Refreshments and further resources will be provided.

Heritage regeneration is about taking a holistic approach to the care, revival and sustaining of heritage. In this instance we are talking about undertaking projects at historic buildings that provide outcomes for not just the building and heritage (i.e. repairs and conservation) but also people and the local area (i.e. meeting identified needs; supporting a wider economy). A historic building is much more likely to survive for many generations to come if it is properly utilised, engaged with and can sustain itself within its unique context.

Rosie Fraser has an established career in heritage regeneration and particularly around finding solutions for complex Heritage at Risk sites. She is CEO of St John’s Smith Square, the renowned Grade I listed classical music venue in Westminster, and she also works part-time as a freelance Heritage Consultant and Project Manager. She was previously Executive Director of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust. As Vice Chair of London Historic Buildings Trust Rosie is responsible for overseeing improvements in communicating and measuring social impact and is supporting the charity's key project to repair and revive a georgian charity school into a new training centre for young people with special educational needs. Rosie is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Hannah Southgate has been working in the hertiage sector for the past 10 years beginning her career with The Prince's Regeneration Trust where she worked with Rosie in the projects team. She subsequnetly made the move into freelance consultancy, where she continues to collaborate with Rosie, including on the 'Reawakening' project. Hannah has a particular specialism in supporting places of worship, delivering both resilience and capital projects. She was part of the project management team that oversaw the multi-million pound regeneration of St John at Hackney in 2018-20. Hannah also works part-time as a Project Manager for London Historic Buildings Trust where she supports community groups, local authorities, and volunteers across London to identify and develop scehemes to rescue London's Heritage at Risk.

This training has been made possible with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the 'Reawakening' project.

The Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene; Supporting Newark’s Communities project has been awarded a £2.75 million grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to enable delivery of the project during the later part of 2024 through to 2026

The project will ‘Reawaken’ St Mary’s so that it becomes a hub in the town and by developing a programme of heritage, educational and volunteering activities and improving physical access will ensure that everyone has a warm welcome. Repairs, upgrades and new environmental sustainability measures will make the church safe and water-tight, reinstating it as a key heritage asset in the town and securing it for many generations to come. It will also support the people of Newark and Sherwood District and beyond, including young people with their heritage and construction careers, allowing them opportunities to learn about and develop heritage skills.

St Mary Magdalene is a 12th Century church which has been witness to Newark’s remarkable history and is celebrated as one of the finest parish churches in the country and is of national and international importance. The repairs will ensure that it is available for generations to come.

Read more about the Reawakening project here.

Host or Publisher St Mary Magdalene, Newark on Trent