Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET] at Preston North End FC is seeking to appoint a dedicated and experienced Heritage Education Officer to lead on the delivery of education interventions within ‘Invincibles’, a new, three-year programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

‘Invincibles’ will use football heritage to empower greater social mobility amongst vulnerable communities in Preston. Developed by Preston North End Community and Education Trust the project will mark the 135th anniversary of the original Preston North End Invincibles in 1888/89 through an accessible community centred project comprising three activation strands promoting improved access to heritage, intergenerational learning, and greater wellbeing:

‘Inspired to Learn’: Children from primary schools located near Deepdale stadium will access a contextualised education programme that uses club heritage to champion equality and diversity. Children will learn about ‘Invincibles’ goalkeeper Arthur Wharton, widely recognised as the first black professional footballer and the historic Dick, Kerr Ladies. Other strand activities will include a heritage inspired intergenerational programme involving young people aged 11 to 14 from four secondary schools who will partner with care homes to collect memories from older people and preserve them through a heritage podcast series that helps tackle loneliness and dementia. Finally, an ‘Invincibles’ inspired family learning programme will offer free community heritage activities during holiday periods from Deepdale, prioritising connections with low socioeconomic status (SES) and those from ethnic minorities.

‘Inspired to Lead’: Delivery of an intergenerational volunteering programme equipping young people aged 16-24 and older people with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to become ‘Invincibles’ Heritage Ambassadors. With a focus on cresting access to opportunities that promote pathways into work and instill greater physical and mental wellbeing, the ambassadors will work alongside project staff to create accessible opportunities within the ‘Inspired to Engage’ strand.

‘Inspired to Engage’: A programme of accessible community heritage activities developed in partnership with supporters and local residents. Year one provision to include club heritage seminars at Deepdale, a mobile memorabilia exhibition that tours venues such as care homes (making heritage more accessible), and the digitalisation of club archives.