We're hiring
Chance Heritage Trust has two new part-time roles based in Smethwick. Applications close on Friday 4 September 2026.
Featured: The Lighthouse Mapping Project - > Explore the Interactive Lighthouse Map
Community & Education
Heritage is not just about the past—it connects diverse communities to their future in meaningful ways. As part of our commitment to education and community, we want to provide opportunities for local people to develop new skills.
Through workshops, events, and partnerships, we aim to inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, and designers .By recognising and sharing our collective heritage, we want all communities to feel a sense of ownership over this project and to benefit from the regeneration of this extraordinary site.
Our Lighthouse Project
Lighthouse Mapping Project
In the 1800s, Chance Brothers Glassworks became renowned for producing high-quality lighthouse lenses, illuminating over 2,500 lighthouses worldwide.
Our Community Projects
Made in Smethwick
Made in Smethwick was an exciting heritage project celebrating Sandwell’s rich industrial past, led by Chance Heritage Trust and funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Oral History and Chance Glassworks
We believe capturing the voices of those who worked at Chance Brothers Glassworks is essential, preserving their memories, stories, and perspectives for future generations.
Bi-Centenary Celebration 2022
In October 2022, we hosted a lively and welcoming bicentenary celebration at West Smethwick Park Pavilion, marking 200 years since the founding of Chance Brothers Glassworks.
Education
We are dedicated to collaborating with schools, colleges, and universities to create opportunities and work experience for young people, while also highlighting the area’s rich industrial heritage.
Our commitment includes
- providing educational resources for use in the curriculum,
- delivering workshops and activity sessions inspired by Chance’s history, and
- offering meaningful volunteer opportunities.
As part of our long-term vision, we also aim to introduce apprenticeships in heritage skills during the restoration of the site.
Chance Heritage Trust has worked with the MArch Architecture programme, Birmingham City University, during semester 1 of 2023-24 to set up a live brief to develop new proposals on the former site of Chance’s Glassworks, Smethwick, Birmingham.
Wolverhampton University has used the site to develop concept schemes for the Glassworks site, including completing 3D scans. Images shown courtesy of Wolverhampton University student Mike Singh.
Copyright and any Intellectual Property from all work remains with the students with licence from Wolverhampton University.
Over the past decade, we have partnered with institutions such as Birmingham City University, Aston University, the University of Wolverhampton, Sandwell College, and others to create valuable opportunities for students. We worked with Don’t Settle Project to provide opportunities for young people to learn about Governance and to sit on our board of Directors. Please contact us on info@chanceht.org if you would like further information or to collaborate with us.