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To be the leading and trusted champion of heritage asset reuse in Sandwell, creating sustainable and valued places that deliver positive economic and social impact for the people of Sandwell and wider communities.
Our Mission
To Identify and support the delivery of heritage projects in an environmentally and financially sustainable manner for the betterment of the residents of Sandwell and the broader heritage community.
Aims
The Chance Heritage Trust (CHT) aims to:
- Restore and Protect Heritage: Enrich the community by restoring and protecting buildings and assets of cultural, historical, and architectural importance, particularly the iconic Chance Glassworks site in Sandwell.
- Advance Education: Promote the advancement of education by sharing the social, economic, and technological history of the Chance Brothers and their global impact, particularly in lighthouse technology, glass manufacturing, and industrial innovation.
- Foster Community Engagement: Create a vibrant, inclusive community hub that encourages local participation, storytelling, and ownership of the project, ensuring that the heritage of the site is accessible and meaningful to all.
- Develop Skills and Employment: Provide training, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for unemployed or underemployed individuals, through skills development programs, apprenticeships, and partnerships with local organizations.
- Promote Innovation and Aspiration: Inspire future generations by celebrating the pioneering spirit of Chance Brothers, fostering innovation, and raising aspirations within the local community and beyond.
- Enhance Public Amenities: Provide and maintain recreational, cultural, and educational facilities for public use, including spaces for community groups, artists, and local businesses to thrive.
- Preserve and Celebrate Heritage: Protect and celebrate the industrial heritage of the Chance Glassworks, ensuring its legacy is preserved for future generations while adapting it for modern use.
Objectives
- Restoration and Regeneration:
- Restore the iconic 7-storey building and adjacent structures, transforming them into a mixed-use urban village that includes residential, enterprise, and educational spaces.
- Develop the site into a beacon of hope and regeneration for the Black Country, creating a vibrant community hub that combines heritage with modern amenities.
- Community and Education:
- Engage local schools, colleges, and universities in heritage projects, fostering a sense of pride and connection to the site’s history.
- Deliver educational programs that explore the history of Chance Brothers, including their contributions to lighthouse technology, glass manufacturing, and global trade.
- Provide opportunities for vulnerable and low-skilled individuals to develop new skills, gain employment, and improve their prospects through tailored training programs.
- Skills Development and Employment:
- Establish a heritage skills program to train local people in restoration and traditional crafts, ensuring the preservation of heritage skills for future generations.
- Partner with local businesses and organizations to create pathways to employment, particularly in sectors related to heritage, construction, and creative industries.
- Global Legacy and International Connections:
- Highlight the global impact of Chance Brothers through projects like the Lighthouse Mapping Project, which showcases the 2,500 lighthouses worldwide fitted with Chance lenses.
- Foster international connections by engaging with lighthouse communities, historians, and heritage organizations around the world.
- Cultural and Recreational Facilities:
- Create a space for public art, exhibitions, and cultural events that celebrate the heritage of the Chance Glassworks and its impact on the local and global community.
- Develop recreational facilities, such as canal-side activities (e.g., canoeing and paddleboarding), to engage the community and attract visitors to the site.
- Sustainability and Innovation:
- Ensure the restoration and regeneration of the site is sustainable, using innovative technologies and practices that respect the site’s heritage while meeting modern environmental standards.
- Promote the site as a center for innovation, drawing inspiration from the pioneering spirit of Chance Brothers and their legacy of technological advancement.