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.
Projects
The Gardeners' House: connecting people with nature
£2.2million has been awarded to create a new green community hub in Penzance, housing 200 years of Cornwall’s natural heritage and a sensory garden.
![It's OK 2 B U signs part of Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme Image of people standing in a line in a countryside setting holding signs reading It's OK 2 B U](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/2bu%20its%20ok%202%20b%20u%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=v8oUcWXB)
Blogs
Learnings from an LGBTQ+ project: creating pride in the countryside
![A group of children wearing wellies and coats explore a woodland](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Playing%20in%20the%20swamp%20small.jpg.webp?itok=FRkmbSDu)
News
Over £1million invested in Welsh woodlands, with more funding available
Projects
‘Into the garden and beyond’ – improving visitor access to Parc Cefn Onn
A £454,000 grant is enabling people to enjoy improved access to the Grade II listed historic park in Cardiff.
![Three people hold an award](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/An%20Tobar%20National%20Lottery%20Award%20winners%20Heritage%20Fund.jpg.webp?itok=I3wqmRIW)
News
An Tobar is Northern Ireland’s National Lottery Project of the Year
![Stour Valley Nature Reserve A group of children and adults doing outdoor activities by a river](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/kids_activities_adjusted_stour_3_bcp_council_mark_holloway.jpg.webp?itok=Qg5MNpNZ)
Stories
How to create sustainable urban green space in your area
![Wildflower meadow in Queen’s Park](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/wildflower%20meadow_0.jpg.webp?itok=66anGuuL)
Publications
How our pioneering programme showed what a vital public resource parks are
![Two people smiling and standing in front of a museum entrance](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/IMG_20220623_151024_1.jpg.webp?itok=oK530aIT)
Stories
A brave new tribute to a famous Victorian explorer
![5 ways museums can improve your mental health and wellbeing Person painting](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/heritage-mental-health.jpg.webp?itok=kQLAOZcb)
News
Five ways museums can improve mental health and wellbeing
![Two people carrying three cut tree trunks through a woodland.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/TCAF_Main.jpg.webp?itok=WVF0NSg3)
News
£6million to nurture England’s woodlands, boost skills and wellbeing
![George the Poet](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/George%20the%20Poet%20954.png.webp?itok=qauL3rNQ)
Videos
George the Poet: "celebrate nature in our day-to-day"
![The heritage project that helped me tackle my loneliness Woman and man in the countryside](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/andy-hyde-chilterns.jpg.webp?itok=ZO8ARVlf)
Blogs