Rural Heritage Survey

Rural Heritage Survey

Since 2021, the Rural Community Network has been supporting rural communities to connect, share and develop their heritage across the region. As part of our new project ‘HEARTH’ (Helping, Engaging, Amplifying Rural Through Heritage), we are keen to hear from rural communities on what heritage means to you and the support/skills development you need to embed heritage work. The results of this survey will help us shape our skills development programmes and tailor the support you need from the Rural Community Network over the next two years. The closing date to complete the survey is Monday 27th May 2024 at 5.00pm. This survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
1. Are you responding as a/an

IndividualStatutory/Public bodyCommunity/Voluntary group
2. What is the name of your organisation/community group?
3. Which of the following best describes your organisation/group?

Voluntary and Community Sector organisationPublic sector organisationPrivate sector organisationOther
4. Has your group been involved in a heritage project in the past?

YesNo
5. If yes, can you give short description of the types of projects your group have been involved in?
6. If no, what has prevented you/your organisation from undertaking/exploring a heritage project?
Have you been involved in a rural heritage project before?

YesNo
If yes, can you give a short summary of the highlights and challenges of being involved.
11. Heritage means something different to everyone. We are interested in what heritage means to rural communities. What does heritage mean to you/your community? (Tick all that apply)

PlacesBuildingsMonumentsArtStoriesNatural EnvironmentTraditionsSportMusicDanceLanguageIdentityFolkloreArchivesPeopleCraftsTraditional skillsOther

7. In what ways do you engage with heritage in your area? Please rank the following.

	Never	Rarely	Sometimes	Often	Always
Visit history/heritage sites
Attend Art/History/Heritage events
Reading heritage related literature
Take part in local heritage projects
Part of a local history/heritage group
Visit natural heritage locations
Involved in folklore/storytelling
Attend heritage workshops
Local family/history research
Traditional music/dance
Practice traditional heritage crafts

8. If you explore heritage in other ways, please comment below.
9. Where do you engage with heritage in terms of locality here in NI? (Tick all that apply)

In my local areaIn neighbouring towns/villagesBelfastDerry/LondonderryI would prefer to stay local but there isn't much happening in my areaOther
10. We are keen to understand the places that you engage with heritage. Can you indicate where you normally experience heritage? (Tick all that apply)

At homeCommunity CentreMuseums/Art galleriesThrough media (podcasts/radio/Tv etc.)LibrariesArchivesIn the natural environmentTheatreYouth clubsWomen's CentresMen's ShedHistorical Society meetingsOther
12. Do you think there are barriers to exploring heritage in rural areas?

YesNo
13. If yes, what barriers do you think exist for rural communities in regards to heritage?

Lack of training and skills developmentCapacity within the group to undertake projects (time, volunteers/ people)Lack of resources (IT, equipment, etc.)Community tensionFundingNot enough interest in heritage in the communityLack of venue or space to meetLack of information on how to get involvedConnectivity (WIFI/4G)Language barriersSkills shortageWe don't know how to deliver a projectWe don't have a formal dedicated groupAccessibilityOther

14. How interested are you/your group in exploring the following heritage projects/opportunities in your rural communities?

	Not interested	Slightly interested	Very interested
Events
Oral history
Exhibitions
Digital Heritage
Biodiversity
Collections/Archives
Podcasts
Heritage trails
Publications
Reminiscence
Contemporary heritage
Intergenerational work
Talks/lectures
Traditional skills/crafts
Creative projects

15. If there are other heritage opportunities you/your group would be interested in exploring, please comment here.
16. Would you/your group be interested in taking part in a community development skills programme? A community development programme builds skills in developing the knowledge, understanding and essential practical skills and experience required to provide the support a group needs to function effectively.

YesNoI would like to find out more first
17. If yes, please tick the areas that are of interest to you.

Good governanceHow to networkReflective practice and evaluationIntroduction to Community Development PracticeFacilitation skillsHow groups work/How groups don't workGetting the best from a committee/boardFacilitating effective meetingsSocial Media TrainingFundraisingDiversity and Inclusion TrainingTrauma informed practice trainingOther
18. Would you/your group be interested in a heritage skills and training programme?

YesNoI would like to find out more first
19. If yes, tick the areas of interest.

Digital archivingData Protection and CopyrightVolunteer ManagmentEvent ManagementCreating PodcastsCreating PodcastsWebsite/Blog developmentHeritage and Cultural DiversityFilm MakingPhotographyOral History recordingContested HeritageOther
20. Are you interested in networking events with others exploring and working/volunteering in rural heritage?

YesNo
21. What types of themes would be of interest at heritage networking events?

Sharing challenges and adviceBest practice visits to hear about other rural projectsFunding adviceCollaborationMeet Rural Heritage PractitionersTraditional Crafts and SkillsArchives and collectionsLGBTQIA+ heritageContested heritageOther
22. Is there anything you would like to share about the support that is needed for rural heritage to flourish?
23. Is your group a member of the Rural Community Network?

YesNo
Thank you for taking the time to complete our survey. This survey will help shape the content, events, training and support we provide rural communities over the course of the HEARTH project. If you have any questions about the project please contact Emma Mc Aleer at emma@ruralcommunitynetwork.org

Its free to join the Rural Community Network as a member for individuals/community groups for the first year and after that its £20 per year. Please get in touch if you are interested in becoming a member at info@ruralcommunitynetwork.org.

For more information see here https://www.ruralcommunitynetwork.org/membership/
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