
Abbey of St Edmunds: Reborn.
2024 - 2029
Consultant: Public Programmes, People and Partnerships
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Development of a 3 year, public programme for St Edmundbsury Cathedral, West Suffolk Council and English Heritage Trust.
Development Funded by National Heritage Lottery Fund.
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About my role
Abbey of St Edmund Project – Heritage Engagement & Activity Planning Consultant
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As the lead Activity Planning Consultant for the Abbey of St Edmund project in Bury St Edmunds, I have been responsible for shaping a multi-year engagement strategy for one of England’s most significant ecclesiastical heritage sites. The project is a large-scale collaborative initiative between English Heritage, West Suffolk Council, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, and the Heritage Partnership, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NHLF).
My role focuses on developing a comprehensive Activity Plan and long-term operational strategy to ensure inclusive, accessible, and sustainable community participation across the site’s three core areas: the Abbey Ruins, Abbey Gardens, and St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
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Key areas of work include:
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Designing and leading creative consultation processes with underrepresented communities, particularly young people, individuals with mental health challenges, and people from areas of deprivation.
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Building strong, authentic relationships with local stakeholders, charities, youth networks, educational institutions, and statutory bodies.
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Coordinating initial engagement across a wide partner network, including over 40+ heritage, education, arts, health and wellbeing, biodiversity and youth organisations.
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Developing a programme of 56+ proposed activities, ranging from accessible tours and sensory experiences to music, dance, creative arts, and biodiversity initiatives – all rooted in the rich heritage of the site.
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Advising on volunteering pathways, learning progression routes, and skills development to embed opportunities for long-term community growth and connection.
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Working closely with cathedral teams and site partners to align activity delivery with strategic educational, ecological, and cultural objectives.
This work is grounded in values of co-creation, inclusivity, and legacy, ensuring that the Abbey project reflects the voices, stories, and aspirations of the local community while strengthening Bury St Edmunds as a regional heritage destination.

Project Overview
The Abbey of St Edmund was once one of the greatest abbeys in medieval England. It was a focus for international pilgrimage and played a key role in the formation of the Magna Carta. Today, the Abbey site is a principal visitor attraction for the town and county – Abbey Gardens, wherein the ruins are situated, last year had 1.37m visits and is free-to-enter.
Made possible by National Lottery players, The Abbey of St Edmund: A Millennium of English History in West Suffolk aims to conserve and protect the Abbey ruins; build a visitor centre, west cloister, and network of footpaths; and use digital technology to provide exciting interpretation for all ages and interests. There will be a huge range of learning and volunteering activities built around events, programmes and exhibitions. The project will link up with other heritage attractions nearby and further afield, giving communities and visitors more opportunities to access the rich heritage of town and county.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral, West Suffolk Council and English Heritage (the project partners) have come together as members of The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership (comprising 29 organisations and individuals who care about the Abbey) to develop and deliver this project.
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https://stedscathedral.org/architects-and-consultant-team-announced/
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