“what keeps us well?” a heritage project

Inspired by A.F. Freeman’s 1921 poem titled ‘Shalford, 1921’, discovered in a Shalford Women’s Institute scrapbook at the Surrey History Centre, we invite artists, writers, and filmmakers to reflect on what keeps you well.

“What Keeps Us Well” is a creative heritage project running between August 2025 - July 2026 in collaboration with Surrey History Centre. The project explores how people have looked after their wellbeing throughout history and how their stories can inspire us to do the same today. 

Alongside three community partners, The Halow Project, Surrey Gypsy Traveller Communities Forum, and Surrey Youth Groups, we’ll dive into SHC’s rich archive to uncover how communities have stayed well through food, exercise, coming together for shared activities, taking notice of the world around them, nature, creativity, connection, and more.