A new education initiative is launching in Cardiff this autumn to help bring the city’s rich and diverse history into schools and neighbourhoods across the capital. Cardiff has been chosen as one of just five UK cities to pilot a Local History Hub—a teacher-led programme connecting schools, community organisations, and historical sites through storytelling and place-based learning.
The Cardiff hub is being led by Elizabeth Berry, Headteacher at Bryn Celyn Primary School, and will aim to make history more accessible, inclusive and relevant to learners across the city.
“I’m thrilled to be leading the Cardiff Local History Hub,” said Elizabeth Berry. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore our city’s heritage and bring it to life in classrooms and communities. Working together with other schools and professionals means we can make learning fun, meaningful and rooted in the stories of where we live.
“I’m especially passionate about developing an authentic curriculum in Wales—one that helps pupils connect with their own histories. By embedding local and living history into everyday teaching, we can help children build a stronger sense of cynefin: a deep connection to place, identity, and culture.”
The Local History Hub will be based in local schools and supported by a network of resources, community partnerships, and training opportunities. Backed by Local History Hub CIC, a teacher-led social enterprise, the initiative is part of a growing UK-wide effort to reimagine how history is taught—placing local experiences and voices at the centre.
The hub will begin its work this term, with several Cardiff schools already signed up. Collaborative planning sessions are scheduled throughout the academic year to shape the hub’s outreach and curriculum development.
Cllr Sarah Merry, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, welcomed the launch, saying:
“We’re proud to see Cardiff chosen as a pilot city for the Local History Hub. This project gives learners a chance to connect with the history around them, deepen their understanding of where they come from, and build pride in the communities they call home.”
With a focus on storytelling, identity and community engagement, the Local History Hub is set to become a powerful tool for bringing Cardiff’s past to life for the next generation.
