At the heart of Northamptonshire’s historic Delapré Abbey, Delapré Wellbeing is bringing together heritage, health, and community in a unique, place-based approach to wellness. With its rich history as a Cluniac nunnery and the site of the 1460 Battle of Northampton, Delapré Abbey has long been a place of healing and resilience. Today, the Delapré Wellbeing project, driven by the Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, builds on this legacy by supporting the local community’s physical and mental health through the power of heritage.
Since its inception in 2021, Delapré Wellbeing has engaged more than 1,500 people annually through a variety of social prescribing programs. By leveraging 550 acres of green space, the Abbey offers therapeutic activities that address local health inequalities and reduce barriers to healthcare. “I came in not knowing how to be and left feeling like me,” shared one participant from the "This Grief Thing" group, which offers a safe space for those processing loss.
Funding from the Thriving Communities Fund, supported by the National Academy for Social Prescribing, Arts Council England, and other partners, enabled the creation of Delapré’s Green Happy Café, a hub promoting green social prescribing. This initiative reached 3,000 people through activities like art, culture, and nature-based exercise. Collaborating with local organisations, including Action for Happiness Northamptonshire and the University of Northampton, the café has helped participants find balance and joy in a scenic, historical setting.
Delapré Wellbeing’s offerings continue to grow. Regular events include the Menopause Café, autism-friendly social sessions, and “Delapré Dig,” a community archaeology project. “Each week, I felt more alert and more active by the end of the session,” one Delapré Dig participant noted. “I was proud to talk to our grandchildren about the archaeology.” These programs bring together people of all ages to build skills, connect with others, and embrace the outdoors.
This success inspired plans for a permanent Wellbeing Hub within the Abbey’s former stables, set to open in 2024. Funded by the Architectural Heritage Fund and National Lottery Heritage Fund, the hub will feature a GP practice, social prescribers, and community spaces.
With strong partnerships and a commitment to community co-creation, Delapré Wellbeing continues to foster healing and connection in a historic sanctuary, helping Northamptonshire residents find solace, strength, and support within the Abbey’s storied walls.
