What this outcome means

If your project is a success, individuals will feel more connected to those around them as a result of your project. They may also feel more connected to the place where they live. This is what we mean by greater wellbeing. 

To achieve this outcome, your project should be designed to impact on wellbeing. It should be developed with expert organisations if you plan to involve people through mental health services or people with learning disabilities. 

You might provide opportunities for people to be more active or to meet and work together online. For example, volunteering in a park, taking part in community archaeology, sharing digital skills, or building new connections with others. 

What we are looking for 

You, or your external evaluator, will use recognised evaluation methods to measure wellbeing. 

You will ask people how they feel after experiencing your project. 

Participants might report:

• increased happiness
• greater satisfaction
• reduced levels of anxiety
• feel that life is more worthwhile as a result of their involvement in your project

They will feel more connected to those around them, or to a community that meets online, or maybe more connected to the place they live in. 

Things to consider

• Budget for inclusion: plan and budget for essential travel costs, good quality refreshments, accessible toilets or a Changing Place and include carers costs.
• Create enjoyable wellbeing opportunities as you plan: a picnic with live music, a guided tour of a local site or object handling opportunities can energise everyone.
• Be strategic: don’t try and do everything at once. Starting small will help you develop and share learning.
• Be flexible: people’s responses may make your plans change or take longer.
• Be people-centred from the outset: consult and check from the start with the people or groups you most want to involve.
• Use existing resources: Heritage Fund resources and guidance on inclusion and evaluation will help you integrate overall best practice into your wellbeing plans.
• Use different learning styles in your plans: include physical, creative or  practical activities in small or larger groups.
• Plan for measuring the impact and the difference you want to make from the start
• Use established impact and wellbeing measurement tools, the What Works Centre for Wellbeing explains the methods. 
• Build a community: develop enthusiasm about wellbeing. Share your learning through social media, events, and in your newsletter.
• ​​​Include ethics and safeguarding: do you need support from youth or vulnerable adult sector services to ensure everyone is safe?

Further information

• Good Practice Guidance: wellbeing
• working with children and young people online