Digital heroes
Digital Heroes is an initiative to connect digitally savvy 18-30 year olds with heritage organisations across the UK to help them with their digital challenges.
Heritage Network recruits, trains, and matches volunteer Digital Heroes with our members. Self-guided training materials are available for Heroes originally developed in partnership with The Audience Agency.
The Digital Heroes will complete placements of at least 40 hours with their host organisations, supporting them with tasks such as updating websites, creating digital content, social media campaigns, digital fundraising or marketing strategies. Originally delivered as a stand-alone project with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Digital Heroes is now part of our mainstream activity.
Key contact
Phoebe Shanley
UK Heritage Trainee
What is Digital Heroes:
Digital Heroes connects young volunteers with heritage organisations across the UK to tackle online challenges. Through hands‑on placements, they help strengthen websites, social media, and fundraising so heritage can thrive in the digital age.
What organisations need to offer volunteers:
Host organisations play a vital role in making Digital Hero placements meaningful. Volunteers should be offered supportive guidance, reasonable projects that match their skills, and opportunities to contribute without being expected to take on work that would normally require paid staff. Placements should give Heroes the chance to build confidence and gain valuable experience while making a real difference to your organisation.
The project aims to support Young People to engage with heritage organisations and develop skills to support their future career.
Heroes will be given the opportunity to expand their networks in the heritage sector and develop valuable digital and interpersonal skills. Previous projects have included:
- Revamping websites
- Creating digital fundraising strategies
- Advising on social media strategy
- Preparing digital activities to engage young people
- Updating organisations' digital plan
- Setting up databases to increase efficiency
- Create digital displays for use at heritage sites
Heroes will be supported by Heritage Network throughout their volunteer placements, receive a year-long student membership and will be offered free tickets to Heritage Network Youth Forum events.
Host a Digital Hero
Empower your organization by hosting a Digital Hero. Develop essential digital skills, enhance resilience, and create lasting impact for your heritage projects.
- Skill Building
- Community Growth
- Increased Resilience
- Digital Innovation
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