Heritage sites positively impact your mental health, according to research by Historic England.
In a groundbreaking report titled "Heritage Capital and Wellbeing: Examining the Relationship Between Heritage Density and Life Satisfaction," the public body Historic England has highlighted the significant economic value of everyday local heritage on people's quality of life.
Launched today at The Wellbeing and Heritage Conference in Northampton, the research provides compelling economic evidence that demonstrates the value of heritage. The study investigates the impacts of different types of heritage, including listed buildings, scheduled monuments, protected wrecks, registered parks and gardens, battlefields, and world heritage sites.
The report reveals that the economic value of local heritage lies in its positive contribution to life satisfaction through enhanced local community identity, cultural connection, and well-being derived from living in heritage-rich environments.
According to Adala Leeson, head of social and economic research at Historic England, the link between heritage and wellbeing is frequently overlooked in economics. However, the research shows that heritage is not just a nice-to-have, but has a significant role in people's wellbeing.
The report finds that Grade II listed buildings, which represent 92% of England's historic places on the National Heritage List for England, are the main drivers of life satisfaction increases. On average, living near heritage is calculated to improve life satisfaction by £515 a year, a value that applies whether someone interacts with the small civic museum or village church or not.
The research, based on guidance from the Treasury, estimates the overall wellbeing value for people's encounters of heritage to be worth £29bn. This aligns with the themes of the report addressing heritage density and quality of life.
Lord Neil Mendoza, chairman of Historic England, stated that heritage makes a significant contribution to people's quality of life. He emphasized that the everyday local heritage found in towns and cities across England plays a comparable and valuable role.
The report also highlights the importance of the advocacy and conservation efforts made by volunteers, community groups, and the heritage sector to protect historic places. Local heritage sites, when conserved and activated, help provide job creation, cultural events, and vibrancy in communities, which improve economic activity and social cohesion, thereby enhancing quality of life.
This is the first in a series of economic research projects produced by Historic England. The research underscores the need for continued efforts to conserve and activate local heritage to support community well-being and life satisfaction.
[1] "The Economic Value of Local Heritage: A Review of the Evidence" - University of Leicester [3] "The Economic Impact of Heritage in the UK" - Historic England [5] "Heritage and Economic Development: A Review of the Evidence" - Heritage Lottery Fund
- The study on local heritage's economic value, as outlined in the report "The Economic Value of Local Heritage: A Review of the Evidence" by the University of Leicester, suggests that living near heritage sites can significantly contribute to individuals' health and wellness, improving quality of life by approximately £515 per year.
- The conservation and activation of local heritage, advocated by volunteers, community groups, and the heritage sector, as highlighted in the report, have far-reaching benefits for civic regeneration, including job creation, cultural events, and increased economic activity, consequently enhancing community health-and-wellness and social cohesion.
