Social Mirror for Social Prescribing

• The RSA is a charity devoted to finding innovative, practical solutions to today’s pressing social problems that aims to build a progressive, inclusive and capable society.

• We inspire public discourse and critical debate

– The UK’s best free public lecture programme with over 150 events a year – Our RSAnimates have a viewership of over 50 million people

• We have an international Fellowship of over 27,000 achievers and influencers

from a wide array of backgrounds and professions – This provides an opportunity to build momentum around new ideas and create

innovative solutions

• The RSA Connected Communities team has pioneered the use of social network

analysis as means of achieving social policy outcomes. – The RSA is currently piloting social network-based interventions to increase wellbeing in

seven sites in deprived areas of England, and Social Mirror builds upon this work

The RSA

“If we wanted to get people to quit smoking, we would not arrange them in a line and get the first one to quit and tell him to pass it on. Rather, we would surround a smoker with multiple nonsmokers, perhaps in a squad…”

Why Networks?

Remember This?

Area 1

• fifth of people with no qualifications (13% national average)

• %age of people with problems with writing 38% higher than national average

• only 3% people belong to formal group with neighbours

• teenage pregnancy rate 71 per 1,000 (national average 42)

• 18% of people feel ‘very unsafe’ after dark (twice national average)

A quick quiz…

Area 2

• almost half the population are educated to degree level or above (29% national

average)

• over ¾ with broadband/dial-up at home (70% national average)

• a rich, empowered third sector infrastructure with a community forum of over 70 organisations/activists

• 95% of people undertaking recommended amount of exercise (national average); 90%

people with health improving/same (80% nationally)

• 40% reduction in people feeling very unsafe after dark

A quick quiz…

Most deprived Deciles Least deprived

20% 40% 60% 80%

Most deprived Deciles Least deprived

20% 40% 60% 80%

Area 1 Area 2

What does a network perspective add?

• unseen, untapped capacity in communities to address opportunities/problems

• higher social capital areas have better health, education, economic, crime, community

governance outcomes

• networks have dynamic qualities through which behaviour, emotional states, conditions, influence spread and cluster

• limits building of new community infrastructure on top of old, which is then marginalised and decays

• asset-based approach

• different conceptions of community within place based networks

• reduced public finances necessitate debate on what state should do for communities and what communities must do for themselves

Why Connected Communities?

• The RSA is currently piloting

social network-based interventions to increase wellbeing in seven sites in deprived areas of England, and Social Mirror builds upon this work

• This is based on analyses of c. 3000 people’s social and community connections

Questions is: if your network map is a map of you, how do you get to read it?

Social Mirror: roots in reflexivity

Social Mirror: roots in reflexivity

What happens of this information is used by health professionals?

• Social connections influence our wellbeing and life outcomes

• Isolation is linked to health complaints ranging from depression (costing the economy £8 billion annually), to cardiovascular disease.

• Healthcare practitioners are charged with addressing such problems through social

prescribing but its use is patchy. • Current evidence shows positive health impacts, but the economic case for social

prescribing is thin.

• How can busy health practitioners know what is available in the community; how can the evidence be better collated?

Social Mirror for Social Prescribing

• Working with the Knowle West Media Centre and local NHS

• Based on existing data:

Social Mirror for Social Prescribing

Video!

• 150 users

• 85% reported positive experience of doing social mirror

• 10% report going to groups

• 43% feel differently about local area

• 40% inspired to go to more groups

• 64% first time they had received a social prescription

Pilot findings (in progress!):

• 78% think is important or very important that Doctors issue social prescriptions

• 50% would recommend Social Mirror to someone else

• 25% reported an increase in their wellbeing

• 30% have said it made them feel more part of their community

• 35% said it made them feel closer to their local area

• 60% said it made them feel like they knew what is happening locally

Pilot findings (in progress!):

Pilot Stories

“I can’t say enough about it because it has changed my life. If I hadn’t done it I wouldn’t have known about these walking groups. After I retired I felt like a recluse, three days a week I didn’t go out of the flat. I’ve now lost a stone in weight, I can talk to people quite freely which I didn’t before. I’ve stopped drinking alcohol - I don’t need it to help me sleep as the walks tire me out.” Participant, male, aged mid-60s.

Pilot Stories

“Social Mirror has made a massive impact in my life because when I moved here I had nobody and nothing. Going to groups through Social Mirror started the ball rolling – I’ve been going to groups for my children and for myself, I’ve made friends, and I know the area better. My life is a lot happier and more content now and I don’t feel so lonely.” Participant, female, aged mid-20s.

What this matters: 5 community questions

Do you have social

support?

Do you feel part of your local area?

Do you feel you have a

voice?

Are you vulnerable,

locally?

Do you feel you can make

choice?

Is there anything

blocking you?

The Power to Create and Local Agencies

Network Weaving

Brokering

Capacity Building

Community

People

Spring-boarding

The Power to Create and Local Agencies

Thank you!

Gaia Marcus

Twitter: la_gaia

Gaia.marcus@rsa.org.uk