Making Our Mark: Walsall Communities Invited to Celebrate Their Heritage
Walsall is a place rich with stories—of traditions passed down through generations, of communities shaped by migration, resilience and creativity. Now, a new opportunity is opening up for local groups to shine a light on their own unique histories through Making Our Mark, a community-led heritage project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Thanks to a £247,000 grant made possible by National Lottery players, Creative Black Country is launching this three-year initiative to help residents across Walsall explore, document, and share the heritage that matters to them. Whether it’s cultural traditions, community memories, or untold local histories—Making Our Mark is all about putting the power of storytelling into the hands of local people.
Funding Available: £1,600 Per Group
As part of the programme, community groups can apply for grants of up to £1,600 to help bring their heritage ideas to life. These could be projects exploring local food traditions, documenting oral histories, or uncovering hidden narratives that have shaped their neighbourhoods.
To find out more, join us for a free community launch event on:
Thursday 22nd May, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Romanian + Community Centre, Sneyd Hall Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 2NN (formerly Dudley Fields Community Centre)
This informal evening is open to everyone. You’ll meet the Creative Black Country team and a Heritage Adviser, connect with other local groups, and enjoy coffee and cake while learning how to get involved.
What to Expect from Making Our Mark
The project will take place over three key phases: Explore, Make, and Share.
Explore: Groups will take part in visits to heritage sites, meet with heritage professionals, and take part in inspiring workshops.
Make: With further support, groups will receive training in storytelling, digital skills, project planning, and fundraising—helping build confidence and capacity.
Share: The final stage will focus on bringing these stories to wider audiences, using digital tools and community showcases to ensure they live on and inspire others.
Parminder Dosanjh, Creative Director at Creative Black Country, says:
“We hope that the power of Making Our Mark will lie in the new stories that are discovered when communities take the lead. We believe it’s vital to collect, preserve and profile heritage stories rooted in local communities. These stories help us connect with one another and feel inspired about what a future Walsall might look like. We are grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for making this project possible.”
Reserve Your Spot
The launch event is free and open to all, but booking is recommended: Reserve via TicketSource
Find out more about Making Our Mark and how your group can get involved: creativeblackcountry.co.uk/making-our-mark