Following the end of ‘Catalyst Cymru: Broadening Horizons’ we look back at the impact of the project for heritage organisations in Wales and the lessons learnt.
The Catalyst Cymru: Broadening Horizons project, led by WCVA and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has sparked a wave of positive change across heritage organisations in Wales.
This project focused on helping small and medium-sized heritage organisations, or voluntary organisations with heritage projects, to thrive by promoting sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity.
The project ran from July 2021 to June 2024 and through a combination of tailored support and community outreach has left a lasting impact on both organisations and the communities they serve.
TAILORED COACHING: EMPOWERING ORGANISATIONS TO THRIVE
A key success of the project was its personalised coaching programme, which offered hands-on support to heritage organisations, addressing their specific needs. From strategic planning to improving fundraising skills, this coaching helped participants achieve incredible results.
One such organisation, Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust was able to secure major grants (more than £100,000) thanks to the guidance they received from their expert coach, breathing new life into their heritage work.
These tailored sessions didn’t just teach technical skills—they gave organisations the confidence and tools they needed to grow.
TRAINING THAT SPARKED NEW IDEAS AND CONFIDENCE
The project also delivered 16 impactful training courses, attended by 168 participants. The sessions covered everything from leadership to safeguarding and not only armed participants with practical knowledge, but also ignited a sense of empowerment and possibility.
Those that took part came away with new ideas for income generation and community engagement. The interactive nature of the training allowed attendees to connect and share experiences, creating a ripple effect of learning and enthusiasm that will continue long after the project has ended.
WIDENING NETWORKS: BUILDING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES
One of the key focuses of Catalyst Cymru: Broadening Horizons was inclusivity. By partnering with specialist organisations Disability Wales, Pride Cymru, and EYST Wales (Ethnic Minorites and Youth Support Team Wales), the project reached out to underrepresented groups and welcomed them into Wales’ rich heritage landscape.
These network-building events, although challenging to organise, created powerful connections and fostered community engagement. Visits to heritage sites were more than just day trips—they were opportunities to spark new dialogues about diversity, accessibility and heritage. As a result, some heritage groups reported interest from visiting groups in getting involved with their work in the future.
SMALL GRANTS, BIG IMPACT
The community grants scheme was another highlight of the project, offering financial support to organisations working on meaningful heritage projects. These grants – small in size but mighty in impact – allowed groups to enhance accessibility, create educational displays, and train volunteers.
Projects like Circus Eruption, which used grant funding to produce digital heritage films, and Project Seagrass, which engaged volunteers in environmental conservation, showed how even modest funding can unlock creative pathways. These initiatives helped organisations reach new audiences and demonstrate their important place in the community.
A LEGACY OF GROWTH, INCLUSION, AND SUSTAINABILITY
Catalyst Cymru: Broadening Horizons has been more than just a project – it’s been a catalyst for real, lasting change in Wales’ heritage sector. Through personalised coaching, transformative training, and community engagement, heritage organisations and projects are now more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive.
BROADENING HORIZONS TOOLKIT
The Catalyst Cymru Broadening Horizons Toolkit, which captures a wealth of experience from the project, will continue to guide heritage organisations toward building a more diverse and vibrant future.
If you want to widen your organisation’s reach, diversify your audience and become more inclusive, our Catalyst Cymru: Broadening Horizons Toolkit is a great place to start.
This free toolkit is relevant for any voluntary organisation in Wales whether you have ties with heritage or not, so please makes use of it!
LOOKING AHEAD: THE BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE SUCCESS
WCVA’s Catalyst Cymru: Broadening Horizons project has successfully strengthened the heritage sector in Wales, supporting long-term sustainability and inclusivity in heritage organisations and projects.
The project has shown what can be achieved with targeted, meaningful support. From securing funding to widening networks, Catalyst Cymru: Broadening Horizons is an example of how voluntary organisations can evolve and thrive with the right help.
By embracing inclusivity and community, this project has laid a foundation for even greater things to come in Wales’ heritage landscape and beyond.
INDEPENDENT EVALUATION
The project wasn’t all plain sailing and many groups struggled to fully engage due to their own capacity. You can read the independent evaluation by Funding Eye Ltd to get the full picture and wider context of this work.