Special projects

PSVT has a strong record of attracting significant support from trusts, foundations, and the National Lottery for a variety of special projects. Some current examples include:

Soap & Water

The AIM Biffa Award History Makers Programme supported the creation of SoapWorks – an family interactive gallery in Port Sunlight. Inspired by the life and achievements of William Lever, it explores the themes of Making Soap, Selling Soap and Using Soap, employing innovative interpretation and co-production to engage and inspire children and young people in the STEM subjects.

PSVT: Drawn Together

Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) has received a confirmed grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a new project, Drawn Together drawntogether.portsunlightvillage.com.

Made possible by National Lottery players, PSVT and four North West project partners will create a digital archive of original drawings for Port Sunlight Village. The documents, which include over 4000 original plans and detail drawings, illustrate founder William Lever’s vision for an industrial model village for his workers and the artistic and physical development, expansion and evolution of the village over a span of 70 years.

This is the first phase of a digital archive which will bring together for the first time both the project partners and the holdings from four collections: Unilever, Art Archives and Records Management (UARM), Wirral Archives, Bolton Library & Museums Service and National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside (operating as National Museums Liverpool (NML)). A catalogue of the drawings will also be created and a selection of drawings from each of the project partners will be digitised.

Interreg MMIAH Programme

Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) has gone out to tender to find a creative digital partner who will support, design and deliver this project which will be completed by the end of June and launched over the summer.

This new immersive experience will create a platform for a digital trail that will enable visitors to access different sites across the village. As phase 1 of PSVT’s Interpretive Masterplan for the site, the pilot will test approaches to content with audiences as well as helping visitors explore the legacy of industrialist and ‘Soap King’ William Lever and the impact of his vision on industry and society by providing an additional layer of interpretation.

The project has been made possible through funding from the Recovery and Valorisation of Maritime, Military and Industrial Heritage in the Atlantic Area Coast Project (MMIAH) Interreg Programme. The new digital trail will by completed by Autumn 2021.

A Brighter Future for Port Sunlight

Supported by a Resilient Heritage grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this project strengthens PSVT’s income generation potential, and facilitates the development of an enhanced and sustainable offer for visitors, residents and the wider community. It has enabled PSVT to commission an Asset & Property Income Generation Strategy and employ a dedicated Volunteer Manager and Fundraising Officer.

Contemporary Art Commission

Arts Council England – through Arts & Heritage’s Meeting Point programme – has enabled PSVT to commission the acclaimed contemporary artist, Tod Hanson, to create an original installation for the village. Responding to Port Sunlight’s history through our unique museum collections and physical environments, it aims to diversify PSVT’s visitor profile, and support our sustainability as a progressive heritage destination.

Environmental Sustainability Strategy

A grant from Museum Development North West is supporting the commissioning of an Environmental Sustainability Strategy. As an environmentally aware and socially conscious organisation, Port Sunlight Village Trust wishes to embed sustainability in all decision-making, budget-setting and fundraising activities. This integrated approach will benefit the heritage, residential community, visitors and natural environment of Port Sunlight.