Alison James, Beccy Austin
This paper examines how engagement with maritime heritage can enhance individual and community wellbeing. Drawing on multiple projects undertaken by MSDS Marine, the authors demonstrate that participation in heritage activities—whether through volunteering, education, or professional practice—fosters connection, confidence, and a sense of purpose that positively influence mental health. A series of case studies illustrate the tangible benefits of such engagement. The Y Heritage Make a Splash project trained disadvantaged young people in diving and maritime archaeology, improving their confidence, employability, and mental wellbeing. Collaboration with the South West Maritime Archaeology Group (SWMAG) revealed how long-term volunteering sustains community, purpose, and intergenerational knowledge exchange among older participants. Additional initiatives, including Landlocked and Looking Out and Diving into the Digital Archives, extended public engagement to inland regions and digital spaces, addressing social isolation and broadening access to heritage. Finally, workplace wellbeing within the maritime heritage sector is examined, discussing MSDS Marine’s trial of a four-day work week, which improved staff work-life balance, mental health, and productivity. The paper reveals how maritime heritage engagement provides multidimensional value—preserving cultural knowledge while promoting psychological and social wellbeing. It advocates embedding wellbeing objectives into heritage project design, positioning maritime heritage as both a cultural and therapeutic resource that connects people meaningfully with the past and supports healthier, more resilient communities.