Two youth-led projects in Sussex have been awarded funding from historic England to create place markers which “uncover and celebrate overlooked local stories”.

The History in the Making programme “empowers under-represented young people to explore and celebrate their local hidden histories, finding original ways to commemorate them”.

Sharing a total of £261,000, up to £15k per project, the programme will fund projects co-created with young people aged 13-25 over 18 months starting in January 2025. 

From staging musicals to celebrate Bradford’s history to using gardening to discover the hidden stories of canals in Rochdale, 21 youth-led projects will benefit from the funding.  

Following an open call out in July, Historic England received nearly 100 applications for the scheme and was guided in the decision-making process by Historic England’s Young Advisers.

Two of the recipients of the funding are in Sussex.

In St Leonard’s, young people will be creating new signs for railway station platforms in the town which reflect local history. 

Young people in Lewes want to find out more about a historic building on their estate. Through interviewing older people they will explore their own history before creating a film and a place marker on the estate celebrating their findings.