Hull City Council Seeks Cultural Consultant to Develop Children's Heritage Plan

Hull City Council has announced it is seeking an experienced cultural consultant, organisation or consortium to develop a Children and Young People's Culture and Heritage Plan — a practical framework showing how culture and heritage can support development, wellbeing, learning and creative futures for young people across the city.

The plan will cover the full age range from pregnancy through to age 25 and will sit alongside the existing Hull Culture and Heritage Strategy 2025-2030. It represents an ambitious commitment to ensuring that every young person in Hull has meaningful access to the city's rich cultural offer, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Building on Hull's cultural legacy

Hull's credentials as a city of culture are well established. Since its transformative year as UK City of Culture in 2017, the city has continued to invest in arts, heritage and creative industries. The council is now looking to build on that legacy by creating a dedicated strategy focused specifically on children and young people.

"We know that early engagement with culture and heritage has a profound impact on young people's development," said a Hull City Council spokesperson. "This plan will bring together best practice, local expertise and the voices of young people themselves to create something genuinely meaningful."

The commissioned partner will be expected to incorporate case studies of best practice from across the UK, provide guidance for schools and youth services, and ensure the plan reflects the diverse communities that make up modern Hull. Consultation with children, young people and families will be central to the process.

UNESCO recognition

The initiative also supports Hull's status as a UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities member, a recognition that highlights the city's commitment to lifelong learning and community development. The Culture and Heritage Plan for young people will help demonstrate how cultural engagement contributes to educational outcomes, mental health and social cohesion.

Applications are open to individuals, organisations and consortia with a proven track record in cultural strategy development. The deadline for submissions is 9am on Monday 30 March 2026, and further details are available through the council's procurement portal.

Why it matters

For families across Hull, the plan could make a tangible difference to the cultural opportunities available to their children. From museum visits and theatre workshops to heritage trails and creative writing programmes, the strategy aims to create a joined-up approach that removes barriers and makes participation the norm rather than the exception.

"Culture shouldn't be something that only some children get to experience," said Sarah Thompson, a Hull-based youth worker. "If this plan delivers on its ambitions, it could be a real game-changer for young people in some of our most disadvantaged communities."

The council has emphasised that the plan will be practical and action-oriented rather than aspirational. Measurable outcomes, clear timelines and accountability frameworks will be built into the final document, ensuring that commitments translate into real change on the ground.

With the deadline approaching at the end of March, interested parties are encouraged to act quickly. The successful applicant will be expected to begin work promptly, with the finished plan due for publication later in 2026.