Sleeping Well at Ordsall Hall 2022-2024
Beginning in 2022 we have worked with our partners Ordsall Hall in Salford to deliver a programme of public workshops based on the academic research of the Sleeping Well in the Early Modern World team. This work was funded by the Wellcome Trust. During the first phase of the project, Dr Anna Fielding delivered a series of hands-on workshops together with training for Ordsall Hall staff and volunteers.
The workshops were designed for a wide range of people including primary school children from near Ordsall Hall, visitors to the hall, and community groups. Our evaluation found that the project was really successful and people really loved learning about the past through practical activies:
- ‘Really learned by doing’
- ‘Interactive – felt like I was part of each step’
- ‘Taking part in the food preparation brought the history of the period to life’
- ‘It’s lovely to immerse yourself in the customs and ideas of the period.’
- ‘I am very impressed with the opportunity to be ‘hands on’ and try recipes – I felt a connection to the past.’
People also found that many of the activities helped to improve their wellbeing, alongside being in the beautiful heritage environment of Ordsall and its gardens:
- ‘Great to be able to go out to the garden to harvest the ingredients.’
- ‘Making [paper] flowers seemed like meditation.’
- ‘Yes we have always loved Ordsall but these sessions have made the hall come alive’
- ‘Yes it is already one of my favourite places and these sessions are making it even more important to me and my wellbeing.’
- ‘A wonderful space, to share history, health & wellbeing in a fantastic environment. Warm & friendly, very educated.’
You can read more about this phase of the project and look at some of the activities and events.
The success of this project inspired the team to apply for new funding. The 2024-2025 project wants to find out if learning about the past through creative activities helps to improve people’s wellbeing.
