ABSTRACT
Breaking Ground Heritage have been evaluating Operation Nightingale projects for the past three years in order to understand more about these projects and how they work to promote positive wellbeing, whilst reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression. The current study sought to advance the knowledge of how mental health and wellbeing projects are promoting recovery in the veteran and civilian population. A mixed-methods analysis of existing quantitative and qualitative data was chosen as the design for this research. This was to enable an in-depth investigation that used a qualitative component, to give context to the quantitative results. This study has established that archaeological and heritage-based projects can increase wellbeing whilst reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression and that these changes are significant. Combining the component elements identified from the qualitative analysis (interpersonal, developmental, and holistic personal development) demonstrate that it is perhaps the nurturing environment that promotes recovery. Heritage-based projects can promote the recovery of individuals suffering from common mental disorders when done right. These projects, however, must be undertaken by organisations that are experienced in delivering projects to potentially vulnerable groups and understand the impact of mental ill-health.
