Archaeology supporting Mental Health and well-being in London: Lessons from earlier projects
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2019-08-02

William Rathouse PhD (MOLA/Thames Discovery Programme)

Having undertaken archaeological projects in Ceredigion to support or improve the mental health of participants The author is now engaged in an ongoing project which also supports the mental health of its members in London. This paper compares the opportunities in attracting participants and conducting archaeological activities as well as the challenges of logistics and resources in Ceredigion as opposed to London. It compares the short to medium projects conducted by Mind Aberystwyth to the much longer term opportunities provided by Museum of London Archaeology’s Thames Discovery Programme. I shall be looking at what lessons these two organisations can offer in terms of best practice in the future.

Comparing how each of these organisations have used their different resources to address the different challenges presents ideas relevant to the conduct of future archaeological projects with a mental health and wellbeing dimension.