Archaeology, Mental Health and Wellbeing

Previous interdisciplinary collaboration between Dr Paul Everill (Archaeology, University of Winchester) and Dr Karen Burnell (Psychology, Solent University) explored the intersection of archaeology / heritage and mental health through innovative stakeholder-led research. This work resulted in a number of published outputs, and the formulation – in 2022 – of the UKRI March Network funded AMPHORA Guidelines, designed to ensure safe and supported therapeutic opportunities for those with mental health challenges on heritage-based activities. The guidelines were adapted to support event organisers for the Council for British Archaeology’s annual ‘Festival of Archaeology’, and a virtual AMPHORA network had been created to bring together experience and expertise. The next planned step was to engage with local stakeholders to test feasibility and interest in a regional, physical AMPHORA network.  

Workshop

A workshop was held at the University of Winchester on the 18th May 2023, to determine the potential for a new network of local archaeological / heritage bodies working collaboratively with local authorities to deliver socially prescribed, and properly supported, community wellbeing opportunities through heritage-related activities.

Hosted by Drs Everill and Burnell, the workshop brought together delegates from Community First; Cotswold Archaeology; Hampshire County Council (representing archaeology, and public health); Hampshire Cultural Trust; Museum of London Archaeology; National Museum of the Royal Navy; and the Volunteering Research Hub.

Following an introduction on the potential public therapeutic benefits of heritage / archaeology, a roundtable discussion took place covering three key topics:

1. What work is already ongoing, what are the current challenges in addressing this?

2. Collaborative definition of priorities, challenges and actions

3. Might a network support this work on a regional level?

Delegates shared information regarding their existing work with volunteer groups, including experiences of heritage interventions and the challenges and benefits, and hopes for the future. The AMPHORA guidelines were welcomed as a supporting framework, and the importance of ‘place’ was also recognised as an important component in volunteer wellbeing. It was recognised that heritage-based initiatives need not be used simply as an intervention, but also to positively maintain and sustain mental health, and that it was crucial to consider issues around identity and group composition for activities. Other key considerations identified were practical issues around transportation and the ability to make activities accessible, and the key concern of financial support and sustainability of activities.

The workshop represented a powerful opportunity to bring together a range of participants and organisations – some of whom were already engaged in heritage-based activities to support mental health and wellbeing, while others were keen to explore possibilities. The regional focus of the workshop created an opportunity to bring together potential partner organisations, and the sharing of expertise relevant to specific regional issues.