Education and Learning
"The job of buildings is to improve human relations: architecture must ease them, not make them worse."
Ralph Erskine
At the Civic Trust, we believe in the power of the built environment to bring people together.
Sometimes our environment brings us together physically, as in the squares and courts of our towns and cities.
Sometimes it brings us together in appreciation, when we admire the buildings that surround us, be they historic gems or state-of-the-art.
And sometimes it brings us together in argument, because buildings have the power to inspire strong feelings of both love and hate.
But for buildings to bring people together, we need to be able to explore them. That's why, with over 2,500 properties opening their doors free of charge each year, Heritage Open Days brings people together in England's largest cultural event.
We are continually engaging with the built environment; yet, while buildings are for everyone, not all of us feel that freedom to explore them fully. We might feel intimidated, or that there are barriers to stop us enjoying and learning from our wider surroundings. We may feel that some buildings are for 'other people' and have nothing to offer us.
We see our job as one of giving people the chance to take down these barriers together and, in particular, for children and young people to develop their passion for places, to engage with their surroundings, learn from them and go on to inspire others.
Through fostering an understanding and enthusiasm for the built environment we can inspire a new generation of citizens to play an active role in preserving and celebrating the country's heritage.
Heritage Open Days has now launched its Audience Development Programme, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the education team is finding fresh ways to involve children and families of all backgrounds with England's built environment. Providing encouragement and support to both education professionals and event organisers, the team hopes to promote the country's heritage as a rich resource for learning, for schools and the community.
Ann Todd and Yael Altman
Education Team
