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Building Empathy and Community Through Informal Networking Processes

Dr. Alison Gilchrist explores the impact of informal networking processes on health and well-being outcomes, emphasizing empathy, shared belonging, and overcoming barriers like prejudice. She discusses the benefits of connections and relationships, social participation, and tackling isolation. Various examples, such as crafting communities and community hubs, showcase the positive impact of collective efficacy and resilience.

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Building Empathy and Community Through Informal Networking Processes

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  1. Crafting connections; creating community Dr. Alison Gilchrist

  2. Themes - informal networking processes; health and well-being outcomes • Empathy and shared ‘belonging’ – compassion and solidarity • Spanning boundaries – E.g. generational or cultural • Overcoming barriers – E.g. prejudice and discrimination; language • Reduced use of health services • Better reported health and mood • Encounters, interactions and transactions • Connections and relationships • Reciprocity and trust • Social capital – networks, norms • Social participation • Tackling isolation, loneliness and low/loss of status

  3. Network effects – evidence base • Framlington study – vast sample and longitudinal data • Social capital – bonding, bridging and linking • Peer pressure – good and bad experiences – Support and encouragement – Social norms/cultural traditions – Lifestyle changes – exercise and socialising – Maintaining damaging habits

  4. Individual and collective benefits • Esteem • Self-respect • Entitlement • Confidence • Sense of control • Self-care and respect • Signposting – diverse routes and referrals for info, advice and /or treatment • Behaviour change • Reduced isolation • Community activities • Influence/voice – Campaigning – Consultation – Control • Better or more accessible services • Availability of informal care Improved health and happiness Empathy and generosity

  5. Wider impact/outcomes • Collective efficacy – empowerment – Bradford sewing group became a campaigning body • Resilience • Community capacity and presence • Social identity – Pride and compassion • Solidarity • Greater cohesion and understanding – Less prejudice and antagonism , especially for stigmatised or marginalised groups • Shared norms and raised expectations • Affordable and accessible routes to care and welfare

  6. Examples • Craftspace – www.craftspace.co.uk – Projects include Shelanu (refugee and migrant women sharing skills and stories) and Craft in Mind – (young people talking about mental health) • Community exchanges and currencies, such as LETS or Timebanks - www.timebanking.org • Southwark circle - www.southwarkcircle.org.uk – as promoted by Participle • ‘Men in sheds’ – www.menssheds.org.uk • Community hub with social/craft activities – Lambeth Mosaic - www.mosaic-clubhouse.org

  7. ‘Men in sheds’ • Whichever activities are pursued the essence of a Shed is not a building, which some don’t have, but the network of relationships between the members. From http://menssheds.org.uk/ UK association formed a year ago and launched last November Age UK pilots, now many more running across the country (approx. 60) Volunteer run, generating income through sales Spin-off activities – community links and groups (e.g. walking) • Australian origins • Aimed at older men but open to all (‘shedders’) • Banter, chat • Own interest or community projects • • • “Fixing, making and re-using materials has given me the motivation to improve my rented home. It improved my mental state and it gave me hope.“ John •

  8. Mosaic club house - Lambeth • People with mental health difficulties • Members not ‘patients’ , ‘service users’ or clients • Supportive environment • Psycho-social rehabilitation • Access to information, advice and practical help • Structured activities with training – gardening, cooking, hospitality • Informal, shared space – e.g. – choir, – creative writing, – cycling “We believe that the combination of meaningful activities, engaging relationships and fun experiences keeps people well and out of hospital, and that the more our members involve themselves in the running of the clubhouse, the better they feel.” Linda: “At first I thought it would be like every other place that claims to help people with mental illness, but I’m glad to tell you I was wrong. Mosaic Clubhouse has been an amazing place to come to every day, and what keeps me coming back most of all is the relationships I have forged.”

  9. Opportunities • Self-help groups • Mentoring/coaching • Pro-active reach • Conversations: – Shoulder to shoulder, and – Face to face – Talking, listening, reflecting • Connected-ness • Social re-configurations • Landscape of hope and healing • Meaningfulness • Recovery and re-positioning • Reduced anxiety • Friendships • Reasons to be cheerful • Motivation to get up and get out • Decreased blood pressure • Discovering capabilities • Finding common cause • Social media and global connections

  10. Issues and challenges Downsides to networks • Gossip • Pressure to conform (stressful) • Exclusive • Inequalities Policy context • Impact and outcomes • Qualitative rather than quantitative evidence • Recession • Relational welfare • Social prescribing • Co-design and co- productions • Resources and practical support often needed • External investments • Leadership or facilitation?

  11. Conclusions • Friendly, informal and ‘playful’ • Sharing amongst peers – hobbies, enthusiasm • Safe and inclusive spaces that allow emotions and encourage creativity • Importance of respect and reciprocity • Policy context and implications – state funds, ageing pop’n

  12. Final reflections • Metaphors for networking – Weaving, knitting, embroidery – Collage, bricolage – Making, mending – Cooking – Gardening and growing – Dancing, especially on the ‘edge of chaos’ • Juxtapositions, edges, serendipity • Complexity models – system of interacting elements, iterations, non-linear change, emergent properties – co-evolving ecologies able to self- organise and adapt to changing circumstances and disruption

  13. Reading and resources • Gilchrist (2009) The well-connected community: a networking approach to community development, Policy Press • Letcher and Perlow (2009) Community-based participatory research creates networks to improve well-being, American Journal of Preventative Medicine, vol 37 • Christakis and Fowler (2010) Connected: the amazing power of social networks and how they shape our lives • Morris and Gilchrist (2011) Communities connected: inclusion, participation and common purpose, London, RSA • Cottam (2011) Relational welfare – Soundings vol 48 • Langford et al (2013) More than medicine: new services for people powered health, NESTA report

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