C O N T E X T 1 7 3 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 37 DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION terms of direct engagement among those working in the sector, while 11.9 per cent of people of working age in England identify as Black, Asian or other minority ethnic group. Only 2.3 per cent of accredited library professionals, 4.4 per cent of middle managers in national and hub museums and 5.5 per cent of those running independent creative and cultural businesses identify as Black, Asian or other minority ethnic group.We know that these trends are persistent. Evidence from the Taking Part Survey shows that levels of participation in heritage among socio-demographic groups have remained relatively unchanged over the past decade. In 2007/08, 59 per cent of adults from lower socio-economic groups participated in heritage compared to 61 per cent in 2018/19. Likewise, 54 per cent of people from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds participated in heritage in 2007/08, compared to 55 per cent in 2018/19. We found it important and necessary to give priority to our strategic activities which support those people who are least represented in our workforce and/or are least involved in our work. We are prioritising resources to make sure that our activities deliver improved outcomes for people with Black, Asian or other minority ethnic heritage; people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer + (LGBTQ+); young people under 25 (school-aged children and young people aged 16 to 25 outside of school); people with disabilities; and those who are disadvantaged by their social and/or economic background or circumstances, or by where they live. Our approach to this work can be defined by three strands, which are both distinct, and interconnected. These are: our work, our people and our role within the historic environment sector. The strand focusing on our work includes the advice we give, the content we create and share, our policies, our projects and the grants we award, and it aims to ensure that they are relevant to a diverse range of people and are delivered in inclusive ways. So far, we have begun exploring ways to recognise a more diverse and representative heritage through the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), the register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England, which we care for on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and have designed a new grant call, and a pilot Place Marker scheme to address alternative ways of recognising and celebrating places beyond the NHLE. We are undertaking improvements and reviews to our digital content to ensure that it is accessible to all and reflects the diversity of England’s heritage. Other activities within this strand include the creation of a new approach to audience segmentation, to understand who we are reaching and how best to reach those who we currently do not engage with well, and reviewing the ways in which we procure goods and services to reach a wider and more diverse supplier base. A high street heritage action zone community group inside Frank’s Cafe at Tyldesely, Lancashire
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