Heritage Doncaster

Tackling isolation with History, Health and Happiness

History, Health and Happiness (HH&H) aims to tackle isolation and improve wellbeing in Doncaster. We know that loneliness is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and that Doncaster residents have considerably higher levels of unhappiness compared to national averages (14% vs 9%). HH&H combats this by using accessioned collections, hands-on activities and storytelling as the basis for workshops and social clubs.

Activities take place in communities, addressing barriers to engagement (including poor transport links and a feeling that museums “aren’t for us”) by taking heritage to spaces like community hubs and libraries. Many attendees are from low socioeconomic backgrounds, experiencing mental health crises, disabled and/or isolated.

Workshops connect people through shared interests and enable them to exchange skills and experiences, meaning participants build skills and confidence. One participant shared: “I was so shy before. Going to Herstory has helped with that. On your worst mental health days, you still want to go. The activities build you up.” HH&H is built on partnerships, working with third-sector organisations (like Mind), and community groups (like b:friend) to deliver activities that make a meaningful difference across Doncaster.

During the evaluation period, HH&H had over 1,500 interactions at activities. HH&H is evaluated by Sheffield Hallam University/Arc Research, and the qualitative and quantitative data collected means the project is able to conclude that its activities are changing lives, tackling loneliness and improving wellbeing.

In 2021/22, 100% of participants felt they were able to share their own skills and knowledge, and 70% of people became interested in trying other new things in their community. One participant described the club she attends as a “godsend for mental health reasons”.

The evaluation underpins programme delivery, including allowing participants to co-produce and shape workshops by suggesting topics and opportunities to share their own skills.

Best practice from this programme is shared within the local authority and at sector conferences, and the success of the programme has meant that from April 2022 the programme has been embedded as a core service, enabling the opportunity for scaling up.

HH&H was shortlisted for Best Museums Change Lives Project at the Museums Change Lives Awards 2022.