Our Priorities
We are focused on efficacy - what works, where and why - so that solutions can be scaled and replicated elsewhere.
Much of our work focuses on amplifying the voices of more marginalised and lesser heard groups, and in particular in regions with higher-than-average levels of social or economic hardship, or where there are problems related to connectedness (e.g. exclusion, prejudice and loneliness).
We pursue our mission in three key ways.
1. Identifying ways that places and spaces can be set up/designed to enable connection and support
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We are committed to understanding how places and spaces (both offline and online) can be designed to help people to meet, mix and connect, as well as accessing the necessary support they need locally.
We are particularly interested in how this can be facilitated in a lasting, long term way. We focus on three key areas:
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Cross sector collaboration: Bringing together partners across public, private and third sector, with communities to develop models for working together to build long term social infrastructure. An example from work with National Lottery
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Built Environment: We focus on how the built environment (i.e. buildings, green spaces, roads/pathways) can be adapted and designed to facilitate opportunities for connection and support. We work with town planners, property developers, local authority housing and planning teams, to bring resident voices into the design/redevelopment process through deep listening and co-design research.
An example from work with Barnet Council
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Tech and Data: We utilise smart data and open data sources to map opportunities for social infrastructure and social capital in communities. We also understand, test and popularise tech tools that help to build social infrastructure in communities -
e.g. Neighbourhood WhatsApp Group, Nextdoor etc. An example from work with WhatsApp
2. Understanding how to help newcomers to settle well and access what they need in a new place
According to our past research with the Greater London Authority, newcomers to an area are at greater risk of severe loneliness. Conversely, when people settle well and quickly in a new place, they can more easily thrive and make the most of that place. We are committed to understanding how this welcome and settling in a new place can be accelerated for all newcomers, including both migrants from overseas and people moving internally within a country or city.
We see a number of key players in creating the conditions for accelerated welcome, where there are often newcomers - cities, universities and places of work. We want to work with local authorities, universities and employers to develop and test interventions for accelerating welcome.
There is a wealth of best practice in creating welcome for different groups of newcomers, but as yet it is not well documented and joined up. We want to change that by creating a centre for shared learning and hosting ongoing learning events so that this knowledge can be shared. Please get in touch to learn more and/or share about your work
3. Helping public service organisations to serve everybody in their area equitably and inclusively
According to our past research with the Greater London Authority, newcomers to an area are at greater risk of severe loneliness. Conversely, when people settle well and quickly in a new place, they can more easily thrive and make the most of that place. We are committed to understanding how this welcome and settling in a new place can be accelerated for all newcomers, including both migrants from overseas and people moving internally within a country or city.
We see a number of key players in creating the conditions for accelerated welcome, where there are often newcomers - cities, universities and places of work. We want to work with local authorities, universities and employers to develop and test interventions for accelerating welcome.
There is a wealth of best practice in creating welcome for different groups of newcomers, but as yet it is not well documented and joined up. We want to change that by creating a centre for shared learning and hosting ongoing learning events so that this knowledge can be shared. Please get in touch to learn more and/or share about your work