November Round-Up: Strengthening Networks Across the North

November has been a month of steady and encouraging growth for Local History Hub, marked by new regional collaboration across the Tees Valley and the appointment of three new advisors who will help guide our work nationally and regionally.

Early in the month we announced the creation of five new Local History Hubs across Darlington, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Hartlepool and Stockton, developed in partnership with Tees Valley Museums. Each hub is being shaped by teachers, heritage organisations and community partners who want to make local history more accessible and meaningful for children across the region. The network will be supported by Jenny Wilkie, Creative Learning Support Officer for Tees Valley Museums, whose experience and commitment to learning beyond the classroom have already made a real difference.

Shortly afterwards we were pleased to welcome Jenny to Local History Hub in a wider capacity as our new Regional Heritage Advisor for North East England. This voluntary role will help strengthen collaboration across the region and ensure that the developing Tees Valley network sits within a broader picture of shared learning and support.

We were also delighted to welcome Glenn Carter as our new National Education Advisor. Glenn brings long-standing experience as a teacher, subject lead and trainer, along with his work through History Rocks and Education Durham. His insight will help us refine our education strategy and ensure that curriculum guidance and CPD remain practical and closely connected to classroom realities.

Later in the month we welcomed Alys Rouncefield as Regional Heritage Advisor for North West England. Alys’ work at Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, and her role as Community Lead for our Blackburn with Darwen Hub, have already shown how strong local partnerships can shape the identity of a hub and create new opportunities for schools.

We finished November by welcoming Anna Hartley as Regional Heritage Advisor for the East Midlands. Anna’s background in both teaching and heritage education brings valuable expertise to the team and will support the development of new hubs and partnerships across the region.

As we move into December, we will continue supporting new Hub Leads, widening our advisory network and developing the partnerships that help schools connect with the histories of their local places.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the work this month.