Young people examining the finds of a test pit. © Wessex Archaeology.

Wellbeing and Inequalities

Published 21 January 2026

Updated 31 March 2026

Here you can find out about our work to improve wellbeing for those in society experiencing inequality, by encouraging interactions with heritage.

Introduction

Healthy life expectancy is more than 18 years lower for the most deprived compared to the least deprived.

Minoritised groups still experience the most significant disadvantage across multiple domains.

Meaningful heritage activities can create new opportunities and resources for people with lived experience of inequality.

Protective factors: Embedding opportunities through heritage into existing systems can dismantle complex barriers caused by structural inequality
Response to need: Bespoke approaches can best support groups with shared experiences such as people experiencing homelessness, disabilities, and other marginalised communities

Heritage and Social Prescribing; Historic England Research Reports Series 71/2022

Reviewing how social prescribing and heritage can work together.
Public Benefit as Community Wellbeing in Archaeology, Internet Archaeology 57. By Linda Monckton

The Article proposes ways in which wellbeing can be built into archaeological and heritage projects.
Gallou, E, Heritage and Pathways to Wellbeing: From personal to social benefits, between experience identity and capability shaping (2022).

Article in Wellbeing, Space and Society, Volume 3, 2.
Worcester Life Stories: A Partnership Between Heritage and Health

Find out how a Historic Environment Record came to support Older People and People living with Dementia.
Geographic Exposure to Heritage Reported Visits and Income Deprivation in England

Research exploring how geographic exposure to heritage varies according to income deprivation, and how exposure influences visits to heritage.

National Academy for Social Prescribing: Heritage and Social Prescribing Advice Hub

Guidance on using heritage for social prescribing, more than 30 case studies from across the sector, films, evidence reports, articles and toolkits.
National Academy for Social Prescribing Heritage and Social Prescribing Course Module

A development course for linkworkers, neighbourhood health teams and those connecting people to heritage for health.
Banbury Heritage Project Film

The project aimed to explore and overcome barriers to engagement with heritage for older people living with sight loss and mobility challenges.
What is Heritage for Social Prescribing Film

Introductory video on National Academy of Social Prescribing website.
National Academy for Social Prescribing Webinar 2025: Prescribe Heritage

Find out how connection with heritage and our historic environment can be used for social prescribing.
National Academy for Social Prescribing Webinar: Heritage and Social Prescribing, 2021

Webinar recording via YouTube.
Inclusive Heritage Advice

Guidance for organisations wishing to ensure that their work is as diverse and inclusive as possible.