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.
![£2.7million funding for Grimsby Youth Zone Young people in a room](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Image%20for%20NLHF%20announcement%20YPDG%281%29_0.jpg.webp?itok=SAFv3n7Z)
News
£2.7million funding for Grimsby Youth Zone
![£260,000 awarded to local heritage projects across Wales The pillbox at Trallwn in Pontypridd](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/pillbox.jpg.webp?itok=gNgbJb6o)
News
£193,502 awarded to local heritage projects across Wales
![Wickham Market community holding up a banner to save The George pub.](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/GWM_7.12.jpg.webp?itok=jXqgYIUm)
News
A new lease of life for Wickham Market’s community pub
![Jumping for joy at the Green Valley Conservation and Heritage Project Happy volunteers at the Green Valley Conservation and Heritage Project](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Green%20Valley%20Jump%20954%20x%20536.jpg.webp?itok=1dF6QsWy)
News
South Wales wellbeing garden wins National Lottery award
![Dunfermline & West Fife - Wellbeing Through Heritage Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Pittencrieff%20Park.jpg.webp?itok=Oze9-hN-)
Projects
Dunfermline & West Fife - Wellbeing Through Heritage
The project is helping people improve their mental health and wellbeing through access to heritage.
![A photo of a wall painting, showing a lighthouse with the word 'hope'](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Derrick%20Kerr%20-%20Hope.JPG.webp?itok=01YGHWKi)
Projects
People with disabilities tell their stories through photography
A participatory photography project is supporting disabled people and those from socially deprived areas to engage with their local and national heritage.
![Volunteers in ‘The Wilderness’ garden](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/IMG-20201007-WA0000.jpg.webp?itok=PUbErDQI)
Projects
The Wilderness: Saving nature’s heritage to improve wellbeing
Despite challenges during the pandemic, The Wilderness project shows how older people’s wellbeing can be improved by actively restoring and engaging with natural heritage.
![The Waterscapes Aviary at Slimbridge. Large aviary with netting at Slimbridge Wetland Centre](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Waterscapes-Aviary-Credit-WWT-and-Amy-Alsop954.jpg.webp?itok=AdyPFdhL)
News
Celebrating Slimbridge and 75 years protecting wetlands
![The Green Valley Conservation and Heritage project Three children hold tomatoes to their noses](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Green%20Valley%206.jpg.webp?itok=0dMLDc5E)
Projects
Green Valley Conservation and Heritage Project
A derelict site in Cynon Valley has been transformed into a community garden full of people, nature and wildlife – and is now the perfect place for boosting mental health.
Projects
Pollinating the Peak
Staff, volunteers and participants on the Pollinating the Peak project are gaining a wellbeing boost from caring for bumblebees.
Projects
Dead Space to Living Place: Transforming Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted
Rectory Lane Cemetery was transformed from a neglected 'dead space' into a vibrant community space and wildlife haven.
![One of last year’s grantees: Tin Shed Theatre company](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/imgs/Tin%20Shed%20Theatre%20company.jpg.webp?itok=ungoPWg5)
Stories