In line with PNRR Strategic Plan, the European framework for action on cultural heritage and The New European Agenda for Culture, TOUCHWELL project aims to develop knowledge and digital technologies and tools to promote the cognitive, physical and sensorial accessibility of the archaeological heritage within a cultural welfare system, providing data on the impacts that culture can have on the well-being and health of people and societies. The proposal includes 3 WPs dedicated to the development of digital and 3D reproduction techniques of archaeological finds (1.ACTIVITY); the development of tools and methodologies for detecting the impacts of the cultural experience of tactile exploration of the finds on the health and well-being of people, in particular in the case of patients in hospitals and care facilities and people with disabilities (2,3 ACT.). As demonstrated by the WHO Report 67 (Fancourt, Finn 2020), art and cultural heritage can play an important role in promoting health and well-being, social inclusion and overcoming social inequalities and access to care. The archaeological heritage has a strong potential in terms of well-being and inclusion, as it stimulates shared individual and collectives memory and narratives, also supporting intercultural inference processes (Chatterjee, noble 2009). TOUCh aims to make the cultural heritage accessible by exploiting the evocative power of finds and artifacts, proposing paths of tactile knowledge in the care places. The digital techniques and the development of 3D solutions, with experimentation of coating materials of the copies of the finds, will allow to start tests in hospitals, day centers and residences of people with illness, disability and fragility. The development and use of qualitative and quantitative measurement tools, during the experiences of tactile use, will provide data on the impact in terms of self-perceived well-being and on the values and meanings conferred by people on cultural experiences, during life and,in relation to treatment paths. The intended user groups are: i) cancer patients, children and adults, ii) people with mental disorders, adolescents and adults. iii) people with disabilities; iv) people who have received a transplant or other surgery that requires a medium-long hospital stay; v) groups of generic cultural visitors, children and adolescents in inclusive classes; vi) people with visual impairments, children, adolescents and adults; vii) adults with dementia and Alzheimer.
A development on qualitative analysis will be provided by the introduction of machine learning approaches. The virtuous model of cultural intervention in the places of care developed by the project will constitute a proposal of sustainable cultural welfare to be replicated on the territory, in collaboration with cultural institutions, universities, hospitals and treatment centers. In this direction, the team of researchers involved in the project has already started a consortium.