food for thought

A changing collection of interesting projects, blogs, publications, discussions, approaches and links as an invitation to stimulate thinking

This 2020 report from the Institute for Health Equity is the 10 years on update to the original Marmot Review looking at health inequalities in the UK and the social determinants of health.

Our food for thought for early 2021 is a 2019 paper by Liz Weaver, the CEO of the Tamarack Institute.

This looks at the challenges of community change, and some of the skills and mindsets needed to enable deeper and more robust system change.

Here are three recent reports from 2020 - from the Young Foundation, the Relationships Project, and from Community Catalysts and the Local Area Coordination Network - each of which has something important to say about communities, civil society, and our responses to Coronavirus and lockdown.

Published as a further contribution to NLGN's radical manifesto for the future of public services - The Community Paradigm - this July 2019 report explores new approaches to commissioning that put communities at the heart of the process.

A recent report from the Carnegie Trust written by Julia Unwin looks at the importance of placing human relationships and kindness at the heart of public policy

Since 2012, Wigan Council has transformed its approach to delivering services, underpinned by the idea of a new and radical relationship with the public that has become known as the 'Wigan Deal'. This June 2019 report from The Kings Fund is a fascinating read with much to learn - especially for the many other Councils around the country struggling to sustain services in the face of continuing cuts to their budgets.

A new report from the Carnegie Trust looking at how 9 different towns across the UK are using the concept and practice of the 'enabling state' to improve wellbeing in their communities.

This new publication from the Institute for Global Prosperity, with support from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, makes the case for a radical expansion of the social wage through the extension of existing, and introduction of new, Universal Basic Services.

This new publication from collaborate and other partners looks at creating social change by embracing complexity and focussing on people, learning and systems

Creative thinking about the economy from the Transnational Institute - a collection of essays with examples of innovative approaches from around the world - some real food for thought about fresh approaches to creating a more just and sustainable economy.

Bringing people together, from the National Lottery Community Fund, looks at how community action can tackle loneliness and isolation - with useful practical guidance and reference to projects nationally.

This 2018 report from the Local Trust and the New Local Government Network sets out five principles for a successful relationship between councils and communities

This February 2019 publication from the New Local Government Network argues that it is time to move our thinking about public services beyond the market and the state to a new 'community paradigm'

A fascinating exploration of how we can use collective storytelling across sectors to navigate turbulent times and foster systems change. Our own St Anns 50/10 project here in Nottingham is using storytelling in similar ways.

A comprehensive evaluation of the first year of the Every One Every Day project in Barking and Dagenham with the Participatory City Foundation - exploring how to create a participatory eco-system with local communities across a Local Authority.

This 2018 paper from the abcd Institute explores what is distinctive about an Asset-Based community development process

a new report from the Sheila Mckechnie Foundation exploring how we can work through civil society to create change

A report from Civil Exchange and the Carnegie UK Trust published in July 2018 with some really helpful insights into improving services and building stronger communities

This report brings together findings from research commissioned by Local Trust and supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which asks - what needs to happen for communities to feel and be powerful in the 2020s?

Doing the right thing is a new report from the National Association for Neighbourhood Management exploring the emerging shift from neighbourhood management to strategic locality working.

A new report (Aug 2018) from the US based Democracy Collaborative exploring housing and urban strategies for combatting displacement, expanding ownership and building community wealth.

Three Horizons