Making Our Mark - final round of grant funding now available
Would your Walsall-based community group like to share your unique heritage stories? Applications are now open for our final round of Community Heritage Grants.
Making Our Mark celebrates the rich and diverse heritage of Walsall’s communities. Facilitated by Creative Black Country (CBC) and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this project empowers local groups to uncover and share their untold heritage stories.
Why Get Involved?
This program helps your community:
Build skills in heritage storytelling.
Strengthen Walsall’s heritage sector.
Connect, learn, and celebrate shared histories.
It’s up to you which heritage stories you’d like to explore, and we’re here to support great ideas that matter to your community.
Who CBC aims to support through Making Our Mark:
Community groups in Walsall who:
Are new to heritage activities.
May not typically have access to heritage opportunities.
Want to connect with others and celebrate their unique stories.
What counts as a community group?
Community groups can include:
Cultural or heritage organisations.
Youth groups or clubs.
Religious or faith-based organisations.
Neighbourhood associations.
Support groups for specific demographics, such as parents, older adults, or individuals with disabilities.
How CBC can support your idea:
CBC’s dedicated Heritage Adviser will support you at every step, and you can chat to them, even before putting an application forward
Explore: Understand heritage and gather inspiration by visiting heritage sites, museums, or cultural events, and attending heritage workshops or talks.
Make: Develop your heritage project with support for research, storytelling, and skill-building, including project planning, fundraising, and using archives or digital tools.
Share: Bring your stories to life and reach wider audiences using creative documentation and digital platforms.
You’ll receive:
A grant of up to £1,600 (inclusive of VAT) to help deliver your idea, provided you complete all three stages of the project, including evaluation.
Free training by industry experts in areas like oral storytelling, film and photography, social media, and more.
Access to the Walsall Heritage Network, connecting you with other groups to share ideas and collaborate.
Invitations to four heritage celebration events to showcase your work and learn from others.
Support from One Walsall and Walsall Locality Leads to find additional funding or develop future project plans.
Guidance on making your work more accessible to help you reach as diverse an audience as possible.
Tips for environmentally friendly practices, like using recycled materials.
A member of your group is required to attend the following:
Making our Mark Induction - Wednesday 7th October 2026. 6.30 pm – 8.30pm*
Story skills training - Wednesday 14th October February 2026. 6.30pm – 8.30pm*
Walsall Archives tour - Wednesday 4th November 2026. 11.00 am -12.30 pm
Understanding Access – Wednesday 11th November. 6.30pm – 8.30pm*
*Arrival from 6.00pm for the evening sessions to ensure a prompt 6.30pm start.
Key Program Details:
We’ll be working with up to 5 groups in this final cohort
Groups need their own community bank account and public liability insurance (we can guide you if you're unsure).
How to Get Started:
To find out more or discuss your idea, contact us at mom@creativeblackcountry.co.uk.
DOWNLOAD the application and monitoring form below.
Download the application form here.
Download the monitoring form here.
Please send BOTH forms to mom@creativeblackcountry.co.uk
Key dates for 2026 cohort 3 intake:
Applications open: Monday 1 June, 2026.
Application deadline: noon on Friday 14 August, 2026.
Decision notifications: Week beginning 7 September, 2026.
The required induction, training and skills sessions as detailed above.
Take part in Making Our Mark and celebrate your community’s heritage stories!
ACCESS REQUIREMENTS: Please note - if you have access requirements please let us know. We can provide information in a format to support you with your application.
