April Round-Up: Local History Day and Continuing Growth
April has been an important month for Local History Hub, centred around the first nationwide celebration of Local History Day on Wednesday 22nd April. Across the UK, schools, heritage organisations, and community partners came together to explore the people, places, and stories that shape their local areas.
From classroom enquiries and local research projects to assemblies, exhibitions, and visits to heritage sites, pupils engaged with history in ways that connected learning directly to the communities around them. One of the most encouraging aspects of the day was seeing schools participate in ways that suited their own context, whether through small classroom activities or larger whole-school events.
Following Local History Day, founder Matthew Harper-Duffy shared a short message thanking the many teachers, heritage professionals, volunteers, museums, archives, and community groups who helped make the day possible. The response reflected the collaborative spirit that continues to shape the wider Local History Hub network.
Earlier in the month, Local History Hub also became a member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations(NCVO). Joining NCVO connects Local History Hub to a wider national network of voluntary organisations and provides access to trusted guidance, training, and sector expertise as the organisation continues to grow.
Alongside this, planning continued for further regional expansion. At the beginning of May, we were pleased to announce a new Local History Hub for Essex, continuing our work to build sustainable partnerships between schools, heritage organisations, and communities across the country.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the summer term, our focus remains on supporting Hub Leads, strengthening regional partnerships, and reflecting on the learning from Local History Day 2026. The enthusiasm shown by schools and heritage partners this month has reinforced the value of place-based history and the importance of creating manageable opportunities for children to connect with the stories of where they live.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to April’s work and to the success of Local History Day across the UK.
