We’ve gone through a journey of learning, reflection, and improvement and we want to help other organisations and individuals do the same through free resources.

How can you use these resources?

 

We Don’t Settle Fit for the Future is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to create these guidebooks.

Project Management and Budgeting

Whether you’re organising an art exhibition, a community project, or an event, you need project management skills. We’ve developed this guide specifically for young people to get you start on your project management journey – it might sound dull or complicated, but we promise it’ll help you get the highest impact from your project idea.

You will learn:

  • Organisation and efficiency skills, so you use your time and resources efficeinty and reduce stress
  • Problem solving, to help you anticipate and overcome the challenges that come with every project
  • Achieving goals and professional growth, to help you succeed at your current project and be a more attractive candidate to future employers and collaborators
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Co-creation and Co-design

Co-creation has been a bit of a buzzword in recent years. A lot of organisations say they do it but don’t really, others are keen to co-create but not sure how. At We Don’t Settle, co-creation has always been at the heart of our work – and this guide is here to show you how to develop this practice in your own work.

  • Learn the principles and practices of co-creation
  • Get practical tips and insights for anyone interested in collaborative projects within the arts, cultural, and heritage sectors.

 

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Representation and Influence

Representation is not just about inclusion; it is about equity and empowerment. When the workforce, governance structures, and cultural outputs reflect the diversity of society, they validate the experiences of historically excluded communities. This guide will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to ensure young people drive system change.

  • Gain the knowledge, tools, and strategies to drive systemic change
  • Understand the importance of representation, practical methodologies for influencing decision-making, and key strategies for addressing barriers to inclusivity. 
  • Learn practical tips to empower young people in your organisation
 
 
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Intersectionality and Decolonisation

We know the heritage sector is aware of both the colonial history and modern reinforcements of outdated and exclusionary ideas. This guide explores how intersectionality and decolonisation can shape a more inclusive and equitable heritage sector, particularly empowering young people of colour to lead, contribute to, and shape the future of the sector.

  • Learn how to embed principles of intersectionality and decolonisation in your work
  • Understand the historical context, and heaer insights from minoritised young people
  • Gain practical insights to enable you to challenge systemic issues and barriers
 
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Past Publications

Heritage Manifesto

There has been a longstanding disconnect between Young People of Colour and traditional heritage spaces. Our manifesto is a response to that problem. Co-produced with 10 young People of Colour, it details the areas where the sector needs to step up and make a change. Within its pages, you will:

  • Understand why People of Colour passionately oppose being seen and grouped as monoliths
 
  • Listen to a youthful perspective of what heritage spaces must do to challenge colonial perspectives, break down barriers, and address the erasure of histories.
 
  • Learn why Young People of Colour believe it is important to tell stories relevant to today’s social, cultural and political climate. 
 
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DECOLONISATION-ISH

Decolonisation-ish is a book-lite from the Unlocked research strand on the Don’t Settle project. The book-lite is shaped by the research and interviews conducted by young women within academia. It aims to improve youth engagement and invite heritage institutions to kick the dust off heritage.

  • Learn activities in how to engage young People of Colour and identify what heritage means to them
 
  • Understand the difference between transactional engagement and authenticity to challenge tokenism
 
  • Listen to a debate on language from the perspectives of young people, heritage organisations and Don’t Settle staff and consider – what would heritage organisations gain from this ?
     
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Time And Time again Report

Time and Time Again is a report which platforms the voices of young People of Colour in the UK. It articulates what they thought about issues of representation in 2020 and how they expect organisations to take action in 2021. This report was produced in collaboration with Beatfreeks, and We Don’t Settle. It Covers topics such as:

  • Why young people across the UK – regardless of their personal heritages or backgrounds – identified Black Lives Matter as the most pressing social issue we face, above COVID-19.
 
  • What young People of Colour think about good, bad and ugly examples of businesses trying to ‘do representation’, and how they think you can go about *authentically* representing communities.
 
  • The fluid and changing nature of language around representation, especially when it relates to People of Colour. 
 
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Heritage Intercepted Podcast

The Heritage Intercepted podcast takes a deep dive into the existing problems of the heritage sector. Using We Don’t Settle’s Heritage Manifesto as a base, this podcast series provides a platform for young people to express their thoughts, feelings and frustrations and provide ways in which they believe the sector can grow and evolve.

EPISODE 1

Recruitment Strategies

Definition

“Clear, formal plans that determine how your business will attract, hire, and onboard talent.”

This first episode explores the pitfalls of current recruitment strategies in the sector and how safe, accessible spaces can be created for young people of colour entering the workplace.
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EPISODE 2

All Things Language

Definition 

“The principal method of human communication. This consists of words used in a structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, tone or gesture.”

This episode explores the ways in which language has been used as a tool of oppression and the importance of embedding this knowledge into your organisation and across the workforce.
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EPISODE 3

History Is Now

Definition

“History – the study of past events, particularly in human affairs.”

 
This final episode in the series explores the notion that the past is indefinitely linked to the present, and Heritage should be a space to tackle it all.



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