ACE Team Heritage Showcase: When Young Voices Meet Professional Recognition
The applause at Bideford Library last week wasn't just polite appreciation. When heritage professionals, public sector representatives, and community leaders gathered to celebrate our ACE Team's achievements, something special happened - genuine professional recognition of young people's contributions to heritage preservation.
From Curious Beginners to Heritage Contributors
Nine young people started our Young Voices In Heritage™ workshops curious about podcasting. Four dedicated participants - The ACE Team, as they proudly call themselves - completed the full journey from audio art beginners to confident heritage broadcasters working alongside Museum of London Archaeology.
The transformation has been remarkable to witness. These young people arrived each week "visibly excited and left noticeably energised and happier." For some, our sessions became "the highlight of their week."
Professional Validation
The moment that defined the showcase came when Museum of London Archaeology's representative shared their experience: "The young people were the crucial key component that made the event so interesting."
This wasn't token encouragement. MOLA featured the ACE Team's heritage interviews on their professional blog - interviews the young participants conducted during MOLA's heritage documentation event, then enhanced with their own sound effects, music, and professional editing. When heritage professionals recognise youth contributions as essential rather than "nice to have," you know something significant has happened.
The Young Voices In Heritage™ Methodology in Action
Our structured approach proved its value:
Phase 1: Creative Foundation
Professional audio art and podcasting skills development using proper equipment. No toy microphones here - we invested in tools that create real outcomes.
Phase 2: Heritage Application
Advanced podcasting and digital media skills, preparing participants for real-world application.
Phase 3: Field Experience
Participation in MOLA's "Coasts in Mind" heritage documentation event. Young people conducted community interviews about biodiversity, tide lines, and local heritage sites during a single day at Bideford Library, then completed post-production work themselves - adding sound effects, music, and professional editing.
Phase 4: Community Recognition
Professional showcase demonstrating skills progression and community impact to stakeholders across heritage, public sector, and community organisations.
Measurable Outcomes
The evidence speaks clearly:
100% of participants report increased social connections
Professional collaboration with national heritage organisation
Clear employment pathway demonstrated (one participant already progressing from attendee → volunteer → towards employment opportunities)
Community heritage documentation preserving local stories
Stakeholder recognition from across professional sectors
The "Be Kind" Moment
Before their heritage interviews, a 10-year-old wrote guidance for the team: 'Be Kind - Treat them as you would like to be treated yourself.' This wisdom, emerging from young participants themselves, guided all their community interactions.
When heritage professionals comment on the quality of engagement between young people and community members, it reflects not just technical skills but the emotional intelligence our participants developed.
What Stakeholders Saw
Last week's showcase demonstrated our methodology to key decision-makers:
Heritage Sector Representatives witnessed authentic youth engagement that produces professional-quality documentation while building future heritage contributors.
Public Sector Contacts observed evidence-based youth development addressing isolation whilst creating community assets and clear employment pathways.
Community Leaders saw intergenerational bridge-building through meaningful heritage preservation projects.
Families celebrated young people's growth in confidence, skills, and community connection.
The Ripple Effect Begins
Physical hugs from professional stakeholders. Warm support expressed across sectors. Word spreading to public sector youth development contacts. New partnership inquiries already emerging.
This showcases the power of our approach: when you give young people professional tools and meaningful projects, they don't just learn skills - they become community assets that professionals genuinely value.
Collaboration Interest Growing
The showcase positioned Young Voices In Heritage™ as a replicable model for authentic community heritage engagement. We're now fielding inquiries from heritage sites, public services, and community organisations interested in bringing this approach to their communities.
Our methodology combines:
Evidence-based youth development with measurable wellbeing outcomes
Professional heritage documentation that preserves community knowledge
Sustainable employment pathways from participant to professional contributor
Community cohesion through intergenerational storytelling projects
Looking Forward
The ACE Team's journey from nervous beginners to confident heritage contributors proves what's possible when communities invest properly in young people's potential. Their work now lives on MOLA's professional blog, their skills continue developing through volunteer opportunities, and their model inspires partnership discussions across Devon.
This is just the beginning. Young Voices Heritage™ offers a proven pathway for communities ready to transform both youth development and heritage preservation.
Acknowledgements
The showcase was made possible through strategic investment from key partners who believe in young people's potential. North Devon Plus, through their Boost Programme (UK Shared Prosperity Fund), provided essential equipment funding including laptops, projector, screen, and roller banners that enabled professional-quality delivery. Vicky from the Boost Programme travelled to attend the showcase, demonstrating their commitment to seeing real outcomes from community investment.
Libraries Unlimited's Know Your Neighbourhood Fund provided crucial workshop funding that made this programme possible. This partnership demonstrates how strategic community investment creates lasting impact - supporting both the initial workshop development and ongoing opportunities for participants.
Featured Resources
Hear the ACE Team's work: MOLA Blog featuring participant interviews
Collaboration inquiries: service@alignmentcreation.enterprises
Workshop information: workshops@aceholdsthespace.com
The ACE Team's success demonstrates that when heritage meets proper youth investment, extraordinary things happen. Their professional recognition reflects not just individual achievement, but a methodology that can transform communities.
About the Author: Roshani Ramass is Director of Ace Holds The Space Group and creator of the Young Voices Heritage™ methodology. Based in North Devon, she specialises in community-led content creation and youth development through creative heritage engagement.
You can find more information on our workshops here