Investing in heritage for wellbeing
What is wellbeing?
We use evidence from the What Works Centre, which describes wellbeing as ‘how we’re doing’ – on an individual level, community level and collectively across the UK, and how sustainable that is for the future.
Wellbeing sums up our feelings of contentment, enjoyment and self-confidence which leads to strong relationships and engagement with the world around us.
Heritage is about that feeling of belonging, knowing that this is your place and understanding how your history fits within wider history. It is a part of being human.
Laura Drysdale, Director of the Restoration Trust, leading on the Water Mills and Marshes Landscape Partnership project.
Heritage’s role in wellbeing
Heritage can build connectedness to where you live, to people around you or to a community online. It can support individual confidence and self-esteem, and provide opportunities to be mentally and physically active.
Heritage can also help us find meaning and purpose in our lives. Both are significant aspects in how we experience wellbeing.
Examples include:
- volunteering activities at heritage sites to combat loneliness
- visiting land and nature to get some fresh air and improve mental health
- creative courses or learning opportunities to build knowledge and skills – such as museum collection handling sessions
- co-producing heritage events, for example young people-led activities at heritage sites
Find out more in our wellbeing guidance.
Here are some of the inspirational projects we’ve funded from across the UK that support wellbeing. If you've got an idea, we'd love to hear from you.
Blogs
Why communities are essential to sharing the stories of Pride
News
UK’s oldest mainland amusement park shares in £5.1million bonanza
News
How Durlston Country Park is helping people overcome isolation
Stories
Changing lives: how Sean is helping others leave addiction behind
News
Seven days to celebrate #MuseumWeek 2019
News
7 Spring walks to enjoy this Easter
News
The story of the Hornchurch skatepark that made history
News
7 top heritage openings to try this spring
Projects
Human Henge: historic landscapes and mental health at Stonehenge
Human Henge improved participants' mental health by providing high quality, small group experiences of archaeology and historic landscapes.
Projects
Creating Natural Connections in Cumbernauld
The Scottish Wildlife Trust are bringing transformational change to Cumbernauld’s natural heritage, and helping local people engage with its greenspaces to improve mental health.
Projects
Transforming Lives - the history of North Tyneside Art Studio
A mental health organisation and its service users marked its 25th anniversary through a year of creative activities and research.
Projects
Arts on Prescription - Heritage for Health
The project offers people experiencing mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety, the opportunity to connect creatively with heritage.