Hi – I’ve had a few replies but just as many requests for more info – basically little in the way of stats but I was given the following sources to chase up:

1)    Sorry I forgot about this myself Judith: Judith Etherton’s article in the JSA on the Role of Archives in the Perception of Self from Vol 27, Issue 2, 2006. It is not available free online and I’ve just recently disposed of all my old JSA! – can anyone p/copy this for me ? Thx

2)    The following article which is not available free online so get your library/museum service to provide a copy if you can: Erica Ander , Linda Thomson , Guy Noble , Anne Lanceley , Usha Menon & Helen Chatterjee (2011): Generic well-being outcomes: towards a conceptual framework for wellbeing outcomes in museums, Museum Management and Curatorship, 26:3, 237-259

3)    An article in JSA again some years ago possibly from Glamorgan – can anyone confirm? Or would this be the same as Judith’s?

4)     A recent graduate from the Archives MA wrote a  dissertation on Local Authority Archives and the Wellbeing Agenda and found the following articles of use in addition to Judith’s.

a)    Taking Part: An Audit of Social Inclusion Work in Archives by the NCA which includes claims that: The exploration of family ‘roots’ through archives can create a personal involvement with history…. For others... their immediate local environment can be given new value and significance when it is illuminated by an understanding through archives of how it came to be as it is. For many ethnic groups, archives have… been able to unveil a legacy of interaction with the community.

b)    The Social Determinants of Health and the Role of Local Government,where 'cultural services' are described as: major contributors to the prevention agenda. Studies have shown that participation in arts activities… can reduce stress levels, improve mood, create distraction from medical problems, lead to reduction in medication and aid quicker recovery. Participation can also have a beneficial effect on mental health, and relate to an improved sense of well - being and self-esteem. There are many examples of this, from the use of music to help people with dementia to the use of local history to engage individuals and communities.

Thanks to everyone who contacted me, Kath

Ms Kathleen Shawcross
Borough Archivist & Local Studies Manager
London Borough of Sutton
Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SUTTON SM1 1EA

Tel: +44 (020 8770 4745), FAX: +44 (020 8770 4777)
web site: www.sutton.gov.uk

Follow us on Twitter @SuttonArchives



http://bit.ly/l58Tjq

Local Studies & Archives Centre

Christmas & New Year Opening Hours

Closed Sun 23 Dec - Wed 26 December inclusive
Thur 27 Dec 10am-8pm; Fri 28 Dec 10am-6pm;; Sat 29 Dec 9.30am-5pm
Closed Sun 30 Dec - Tue 1 Jan inclusive

From Wed 2 Jan we return to our normal opening hours:
Tue, Wed & Fri 10am-6pm; Thur 10am-8pm
Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 1-4.30pm

Printing this email? Please think environmentally

and only print when essential!