Discovering Dunkeswell Abbey Project Evaluation Report.pdf

Over 12 months (June 2019 – June 2020), Heritage Arts People (HAP), with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (BH AONB), and Devon County Council (DCC), engaged local communities, volunteers, and heritage professionals to record and interpret Dunkeswell Abbey's remains.

Evaluation Approach

The evaluation aimed to measure the project’s success in three key areas:
- Heritage outcomes for the abbey site
- Volunteer experiences
- Community engagement and heritage appreciation.

Using a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation involved:
- Surveys (e.g., volunteer and teacher surveys)
- Interviews (e.g., volunteer interviews, partner feedback)
- Feedback forms (for community events)
- Observational data (from site tours and workshops)
- An end-of-project reflection with key stakeholders

Project Outcomes and Key Achievements

The DDA project achieved significant outcomes across all three evaluation focus areas:

1. Heritage:

Improved recording and interpretation of the abbey remains, including installation of on-site interpretation boards.
Creation of a digital archive of archaeological findings, accessible to the public.
Development of a reconstruction image to enhance understanding of the abbey's past.

2. Volunteers:

Trained 15 volunteer Ambassadors who worked alongside professionals, gained heritage knowledge, and received mentoring support.
Enhanced skills development for volunteers through workshops and training sessions.
Increased volunteer engagement within the local community.

3. Community:

Raised awareness and appreciation of Dunkeswell Abbey's historical significance among local residents.
Delivered interactive activities, school workshops, and two public celebration events to engage diverse audiences.
Fostered a sense of ownership and pride in the abbey’s heritage among community members.

Key Stakeholder Feedback

Feedback from volunteers, teachers, community participants, partners, and project team members highlighted:

Positive impacts on knowledge and understanding: Participants reported increased appreciation for the abbey's history and its place within the local landscape.
Enhanced skills and experiences: Volunteers praised the training and support they received, leading to personal growth and new skills in archaeology and heritage interpretation.
Stronger community connections: Events and activities fostered a sense of community engagement and pride in shared heritage.

Lessons Learned and Recommendations

The DDA project demonstrated the power of community-led archaeology in:

Preserving local history: Engaging volunteers and the community directly ensures the long-term care and interpretation of historical sites.
Fostering skills development: Providing training and mentoring opportunities for volunteers builds a skilled heritage workforce.
Promoting community pride: Celebrating local heritage can strengthen community identity and engagement.

Future projects should:

Emphasize community ownership and participation from the project's inception.
Secure adequate funding to support volunteer training, equipment, and long-term maintenance of site interpretation.
Leverage digital tools for data management, communication, and public access to heritage information.

Conclusion

The Discovering Dunkeswell Abbey project successfully achieved its aims by empowering the local community to explore, understand, and celebrate their shared historical legacy. The lessons learned from this project will inform future community archaeology initiatives, contributing to the preservation and interpretation of Devon's rich cultural heritage.