Heritage holds the key to our sense of identity. Connecting with the past and feeling rooted in our communities is essential to our wellbeing.
It’s about finding a shared history and telling stories of who we are, and where we came from. Building a sense of belonging and ownership can make a tangible difference to how we feel.
Heritage activities provide a valuable pathway for practical and emotional support. They give space to reflect, and to hope. And they empower people who may be struggling with anything from isolation to ill-health with the tools rewrite their personal story to one of positive change, resilience, confidence, and better wellbeing.
NASP is working to embed social prescribing across the heritage sector. We want to broaden the range of activities available. And to make heritage, history – and connection – accessible to the people who need it most.
Watch the film to find out more
Heritage is our common memory – our common story. It belongs to all of us, and it affects all of us. Whether we realise it or not, we’re drawing strength and inspiration from our historic environment all the time.
How can I get involved with heritage social prescribing?
How can heritage help?
Heritage can specifically help:
- Improve feelings of identity and belonging
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Increase life-satisfaction
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Promote good brain health and strengthen memory
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Strengthen connection with place and inspire pride of place
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Develop insight, resilience, hope and inspiration for the future
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Help gain a perspective and feel part of something bigger - part of a wider legacy and responsibility in this time and place.
Like physical activity and connecting with nature, heritage can also:
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Improve physical and mental wellbeing, supporting prevention and treatment of long-term conditions
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Connect people and increase social interaction
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Help people become more physically active
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Improve emotional, cognitive, and sensory processing, and reduce stress.
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Increase confidence, capacity and motivation
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Increase feelings of purpose and value
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Gain new skills, keep learning, stay mentally agile
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Give people agency to make positive decisions about their own wellbeing
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Offer support groups that are not seen as “medical” and “clinical” by patients, taking away stigma of labelling
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Create wellbeing hubs, neighbourhood health centres and offers co-hosting of services.
Engagement with culture and heritage deliver £8bn a year worth of improvements in people’s quality of life and higher productivity, according to the evidence report, published by the UK Government in December 2024.
The research, commissioned by DCMS, shows how culture and heritage can directly impact our lives, improving our physical and mental wellbeing, and highlights the importance of preserving our rich heritage to ensure it can enrich the lives of many for years to come.
What does Heritage Social Prescribing involve?
Historic England devised the six ways into wellbeing framework demonstrating how heritage can benefit people through various forms of engagement.
Volunteering: finding purpose and connection
Visiting: discover, learn and connect
Sharing: connecting through stories and creativity
Healing: expression and inclusion through heritage
Belonging: connection, identity and resilience
Experiencing: wellbeing through connection with the historic and natural environment
Further information
This work is funded by Historic England, and developed in collaboration with the Heritage and Social Prescribing Community of Practice and the Social Prescribing Link Workers Advisory Group.
If you have questions, feedback or wish to join the Community of Practice please email us.
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