'A Place of Living' - The Role of Heritage Buildings on Wellbeing Report Launch

ChurchWorks has partnered with Historic England to research the impact historic buildings have on our wellbeing.

Warm Welcome spaces offer more than warmth; they are spaces of living, places where people connect, build relationships, and grow in confidence through shared experiences. Our findings show how, in heritage settings, these spaces become transformative places of belonging rooted in continuity and care.

Historic church buildings provide sanctuary and safety - peaceful, familiar landmarks that anchor communities amid change. Their beauty, history, and atmosphere foster reflection, relationality, and a sense of collective identity.

As we look toward the Labour government’s ‘decade of renewal’, this research highlights how heritage spaces can serve as living assets for local wellbeing - not relics of the past, but foundations for renewal, continuity, and rebirth.

What you’ll get from this event:

• Be the first to hear key findings and research from our report
• Hear from case studies of warm welcome spaces held in heritage buildings
• Receive practical insights for community leaders, policymakers, and partners seeking to reimagine the role of heritage in thriving local communities

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