8 Things Needed for Rescuing Heritage
Published 6th March 2023
1. Passion
Most building rescues begin with someone who is really passionate about a building, a space or a place. They may have been to a now-closed school, worked in a closed shop, their grandfather may have been the village blacksmith, and they might remember visiting a building once a forge; or their heart may have been captivated by a building or place when on holiday. The common thread to these sparks and interests is a passion, to make sure that the building, place or space, isn’t lost to future generations; that it is protected, and a new use found, and ideally its story told, so that people in the future can also be captivated by it. Appreciate its qualities, and enjoy using it, in whatever way is found for it to survive and be useful.
2. People
When rescuing a building, there are many skills required, and tasks to do. From weeding to painting, from litter picking to researching, from keeping accounts to writing for social media, and grant applications. There are certainly more jobs than any one single person can manage, so building a team as early as possible is important to the success of projects. Find people with different skills, and share the tasks around. Occasional help is as important as daily or weekly tasks, and there is almost always something that people can do, to help.
3. Knowledge
Most building rescues take quite a long time, and building, and sharing knowledge is key to all the stages. Take time to learn about the building: is it the only one of it’s kind? Where are there others like it? What use are they in now? Is your building listed? Are there any other groups also trying to rescue, for example, a hearse house? Is there anything to learn from their experience? What is your building made of? Are the materials still available? Are there people with the skills to work with these materials in your locality?
It can be helpful to think about the knowledge you will be building up, where to keep it, how to store it, from an early stage. This can always be refined, but all the research will have value, and making sure it is organised so that different people involved in the project can find it, will save time in the long run.
4. Networks
There are amazing stories of building rescues going on all the time, and one of the fastest ways to learn how to avoid pitfalls, and where there may be shortcuts hiding in plain sight, is to ask someone who has already been on a similar journey, or may even have completed a journey. There are organisations such as the UK wide Heritage Trust Network, with lots of guidance for people trying to rescue heritage. Communities of interest,, which can be incredibly specialist, may also be useful. There may be societies of enthusiasts, for the building or heritage equivalent, of for example, bee keeping in the Highlands, diesel train set scenery; or 1970s typewriters. People who already have knowledge or interest in your type of building or heritage may be able to help your project, or know of other successful rescues.
5. Communications
Ensuring that your project aspirations are well known and understood, is really important. Building a network of interested people, who may give practical help, support the project financially, or simply build an awareness and appreciation of your heritage, is an important step on the way to success. Communications can take the form of newsletters, open meetings, letters to newspapers or press releases to local radio are also very helpful. The length of communications needn’t be long, but some level of regularity is a good idea. There doesn’t need to be a weekly newsletter, but an annual one is probably not enough.
Sharing good news is also great for morale generally – and can be tiny wins; a 10th volunteer recruited, or 20 bags of rubbish cleared on a litter pick. Pictures also really help.
Continuity and building suspense can be good to communicate as well: a grant application submitted, the cliff hanger, while the next communication can share the (hopefully successful) result.
6. Money
Most projects need time, people, and many other things, but almost all need money too. Fund raising can be daunting, but with project knowledge, costs can be identified, and even phased.
It can be easier to divide up necessary funds required, or itemise a specific, necessary thing – a new bell for a former school. Be careful to be clear that if a target figure is reached, then funds could be used for other project costs. Organisations like the Heritage Trust Network, and others, have advice on fund raising, and there are many free resources online. Most of the funders of heritage projects, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, have a lot of guidance for their grant programmes. This is unquestionably daunting, but every single minute of guidance reading is worth it. The most common advice given by funders, is “Read the guidance” Guidance sets out exactly what is, and what isn’t, eligible for them to fund. However passionate, eloquent and well-crafted an application is for, say, renewing the pipework in a Victorian Fountain, if the funder only supports agricultural building repairs, it will have no chance of success. An example for comic effect, but the applicant did not read the guidance.
A final tip on money, is to look at completed projects similar in nature, to your project, and see who the funders were. There is often a funder acknowledgment board or section on a website. If the project is a close match to your project, and the funder’s criteria remain the same, there is a good chance that future funding awards could be made to your project. Similar could be building type, geographic area, or a similar end use.
7. Time
Rescuing buildings, place and spaces takes a long time, although this will vary depending on the nature of the heritage involved. It can be helpful to remember how long the building, space or place has already survived, and to think that your project will mean that something that may already be decades or even centuries old, can you’re your help and effort, survive as long again into the future. It’s use may have become redundant or it may have been forgotten over decades, so reversing that will not be a matter of weeks, but it will be worth it.
8. Patience
Closely related to time, patience and an ability to take the long view, look at the big picture, is key to building rescues. Having good, transparent systems for record keeping; building and sharing knowledge about your building or heritage; and communicating your passion and your achievements, will all help create a sense of distance travelled, as well as keeping that glowing goal of a completed rescue shining brightly for everyone to focus upon.
Should you be looking to rescue a building, but need some help, Fife Historic Buildings Trust may be able to help. We have experience and knowledge managing projects and applying for funders within the heritage sector, as well as many additional important skills. So do not hesitate to get in touch if there is a project you would like our help on
