Does Engagement with Heritage Sites Have the Potential to Improve Sub-clinical Levels of Low Wellbeing in NHS Staff: a Feasibility Study. the HerWellNHS Study

Overview

This feasibility study will focus on assessing and identifying the wellbeing effects of self-directed (unmediated) visits to heritage sites for a high-risk population, specifically NHS staff at PHU self-reporting sub-clinical levels of low wellbeing. In particular, it seeks to understand whether wellbeing effects can be derived from unmediated visits to heritage sites, how much exposure to heritage is necessary to experience wellbeing effects, whether and how benefits may be accumulated, how long wellbeing effects may last following visits, and the nature of these wellbeing effects. In addition, it will establish appropriate psychological measures (qualitative and quantitative), test a web-based data collection interface, examine participant choices and their characteristics, and assess participant adherence and response rates prior to developing a clinical trial.

This feasibility study will use quantitative and qualitative psychological measures to examine participant choices of heritage sites and their characteristics, as well as assessing participant adherence and response rates prior to development of a future clinical trial. It will act as proof of concept, generating a case for the promise of unmediated heritage visits as an effective mental health intervention. The project will focus on assessing and identifying the wellbeing effects of unmediated visits to heritage sites for NHS staff, and seeks to understand how much exposure to heritage is necessary to experience wellbeing effects, how benefits may be accumulated, how long wellbeing effects may last following a visit, and what the nature of these wellbeing effects may be. The study also seeks to capture the staff experience of engaging with heritage sites, what are the aspects which might result in positive change as a result of the interactions as well if there are any potential risks associated with such interventions. This project is funded by Historic England. The project partners are as follows: Portsmouth University NHS Hospitals, The Royal Navy National Museum, The Mary Rose Museum, Wessex Archaeology, Portsmouth City Council, Art as Media and the University of Southampton.

Conditions