Cura’s Post

This new report explores the causes of social isolation and loneliness, including structural causes, in the UK and Australia – and provides an overview of community and environmental interventions. UCL Policy Lab Director Marc Stears had it right when he said, "Social connections change lives for the better. That’s why we need to build public policies that respect and value connection and build a sense of shared community. It is vital if we are to tackle the deep-seated problems facing democracies around the world." These recommendations struck me in particular: 🔘 The local neighbourhood is the most impactful level at which to intervene on entrenched issues such as community disconnection, and to galvanise meaningful change. 🔘 Tackling loneliness requires thinking outside of the box. Innovative solutions such as ‘nudging’ small behavioural changes can promote more accessible opportunities for connection. 🔘 Significant investment from governments and non-government sectors in programmes that facilitate social cohesion has the potential for far-reaching health, social and economic benefits. Congrats to all involved including Local Trust, Ending Loneliness Together, Neighbourly Lab, Good Faith Partnership, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), Citizens UK, Civic Power Fund, People's Health Trust and others. https://lnkd.in/emGh2mfV

Lot's of great insights here that resonate with my work on social infrastructure in the UK – both in my academic research, and in my work at Institute for Community Studies. Creating neighbourhoods that are able to facilitate social connection is integral – not only for addressing those important health and wellbeing outcomes – but for creating places that are a joy to live in. A city, town or neighbourhood that has robust social infrastructure is much more likely to be a city town or neighbourhood where communities are able to come together and where people show up for one another in times of need.

Useful contributions on solutions for more connected communities here from UCL Policy Lab lab.Strongly agree on the need for focus on connection and also the opportunity for nudges to connect being built in to our everyday lives. I argued in the article below that in fact the reverse is happening and that these nudges are being designed out of our lives. We need to reverse this trend. https://lnkd.in/esCCaayP

We're really excited for this year's Stronger Things conference! Not only will some of the team be attending the event, but our venture We Are Juno CIC have been invited to give a lightning talk.⚡ Chole and Sherrie - two of Juno's brilliant experts by experience - will be leading a talk spotlighting value of community power, an approach driven by communities rather than professionals. We can't wait to get our heads together to explore the art of what's possible and think about how we can push the limits of community led approaches. Want to know more? Check out the latest post from New Local 🔽

Social sustainability: An essential pillar missing from the public debate Social sustainability is a fundamental pillar for the development of a just and prosperous society. This concept focuses on a community's ability to ensure the well-being of its citizens by promoting a fair distribution of resources and ensuring active participation in decision-making processes. At its core, social sustainability seeks to integrate principles of social justice, community cohesion, human rights and the strengthening of social capital, while adapting to the specific needs of each context. There are three key dimensions to understanding social sustainability: 1. Mechanisms of representation: This dimension includes citizen participation in decision-making and community development initiatives, ensuring that the voices of all sectors of society are heard and valued in building a shared future. 2. Collective State: Refers to group membership, mutual trust among community members, family ties, and the creation of a safe and crime-free environment. This dimension strengthens social cohesion and confidence in institutions. 3. Individual access: This includes access to basic services such as education, health care, and employment, which are fundamental elements of personal and collective development. Each of these dimensions interacts with each other to build a more inclusive society where people can thrive in an environment of equity, participation and security (Baffoe, G., & Mutisya, E. 2015). #SocialSustainability #Wellbeing #ResourceDistribution #DecisionMaking #CommunityDevelopment #InstitutionalConfidence #Education #Healthcare #Employment #Equity #Security #InclusiveSociety #CitizenEngagement #SustainableFuture

We are excited to launch Future Generation Global’s Impact Report 2023, which brings to life the human stories behind the young lives we are changing, as well as data on the progress our impact partners are making with our social investment. The report reveals that our 14 impact partners had a remarkable 5.3 million participants in their programs and services in 2023, as they work to promote wellbeing and prevent the onset of mental ill-health in young Australians. Hear from some of them about how Future Generation Global’s rare style of funding - multi-year and untied - has enabled them to grow both their organisations and their impact. Access the report here: https://lnkd.in/gRb5TxDj BackTrack Youth Works Big hART Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation Human Nature I CAN Network Ltd Youth Live4Life Mind Blank Ltd Prevention United PROJECT ROCKIT ReachOut Australia Smiling Mind The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health Wanta Aboriginal Corporation Youth Opportunities Australia Ltd #FGGImpactReport #paywhatittakes #philanthropy #socialimpact

Today is #SocialEnterpriseDay! We are proud to be a Social Enterprise, joining thousands of other organisations across the country in creating positive change. At PC24, the majority of our surplus is reinvested back into our patients and colleagues. We believe that primary healthcare should be accessible for everyone - no matter their background - and we are committed to delivering the best care we can, challenging social exclusion and supporting local communities in Merseyside. We combine the best of the NHS with social enterprise innovation, developing solutions for NHS primary care and caring for our clinicians so that our patients receive quality care. Read more about what Social Enterprises do: https://lnkd.in/eGXYk5T9

Happy #SocialEnterpriseDay from all of us at Connection Crew 🥳 Read more about the innovative business model in Social Enterprise UK’s latest research - the future of business is putting #PeopleAndPlanetFirst

Today is #SocialEnterpriseDay, and we’re proud to count ourselves among the 1 in 42 UK businesses using this innovative way of working to benefit people and planet. Social enterprises are businesses that trade for a social or environmental purpose. Like any other business, we look to make a profit, but it is what we do with that profit that sets us apart: re-investing the majority to further our vital mission. Read more about our impact in our 2024 social value report https://lnkd.in/ekiyeyYa #SocialValue #SocialEnterprise #BusinessForGood

जमीनी स्तर से #परिवर्तन की शुरुआत होती है🌿 Ground-Level Change 🌱 Community Transformation🍃 In the field of #social_work, it's often said that true #transformation begins from the ground up. As #social_workers, we serve as #connectors between communities and solutions, bridging gaps and empowering individuals to reclaim their well-being. Here are #key_skills that we carry on this mission of #change: 1.#Understanding_Ground_Realities:- The foundation of impactful social work lies in understanding the deep-rooted challenges people face daily—be it poverty, education gaps, health disparities, or environmental concerns. Listening to community voices is the first step toward driving meaningful change. 2. #Community_Development:- Social workers are pivotal in nurturing collective action. By empowering local leaders and fostering collaboration, we create an ecosystem where communities thrive. Our role is to strengthen the bonds that build resilience and create sustainable futures. 3. #Facilitating_Transformation:- Lasting change is not just about solving immediate problems but creating pathways for long-term empowerment. Through programs in education, health, and livelihood, we guide individuals and communities to unlock their potential and lead their transformation journey. 4. #Driving_Social_Impact:- At the heart of our work is the commitment to social impact. We take on the challenges of inequality, injustice, and marginalization by ensuring access to resources, raising awareness, and advocating for policy reforms. Every small step forward is a victory toward a more just and equitable society. As we strive to create #lasting, #positive_impact, we embrace #patience, #empathy, and #collaboration. Together, we can uplift the underserved, creating not just temporary relief but #sustainable, #systemic_change. We can continue to be the #voice of #hope and #transformation, one community at a time. 🌍 #SocialWork #CommunityDevelopment #SocialImpact #Transformation #GrassrootsChange #Empowerment #Advocacy #SustainableDevelopment 🍃❣