Knowle West first for new community health scheme
[vimeo width=”500″ height=”375″]http://vimeo.com/60445370[/vimeo]
Knowle West will be the first area in Bristol to benefit from a new community health scheme – which will boost local wellbeing by offering activities on prescription.
The innovative ‘Social Mirror’ initiative aims to help people get the most out of their community: for example helping isolated people become more connected to their community by directing them to local activities.
Run by the RSA, with help from Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) and the MIT Center for Civic Media, the project has developed a new digital app to be used on tablet computers in doctors’ surgeries – aimed at the over 65s and 18 to 25 year olds.
We will be trialling the tool out with volunteers in GPs waiting rooms, and soon Doctors could use this to question people about their social connections – and to find groups for them to join.
RSA Senior Researcher Gaia Marcus explains: “The project in Knowle West came about because, in our research, we found that a lot of people rely on doctors and places like Filwood Hope [Advice Centre] for social support and advice.
“We thought it would be great if we could give GPs and community workers an easy way of understanding what people’s social connections look like, and what is out there…”
The app is being piloted in Knowle West but it is hoped it could be soon used in doctors’ surgeries wherever there is a need.
For more information contact David on 0117 903 0444 or email david.amesbury@rsa.org.uk
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Notes to Editors
For press enquiries or to arrange an interview, filming or photograph opportunity please contact Rachel Clarke, KWMC Communications and Marketing Coordinator, on 0117 353 4609 or e-mail rachel.clarke@kwmc.org.uk
Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) is a charity and arts organisation based in South Bristol. For over 15 years KWMC has been supporting communities to access digital technologies and the arts – and get the most out of them. Their main aim is to involve local people in creative activity, decision-making and activism, in order to achieve social, cultural and economic regeneration. As part of their programme of arts activities, KWMC provides opportunities for young people to explore and experiment with digital media, and offers a range of digital and environmental projects to encourage sustainable living.
The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) is working with KWMC to test ‘Social Mirror’. A poster is attached and more details can be found at http://www.thersa.org/action-research-centre/public-services-arts-social-change/connected-communities/social-mirror
The Social Mirror initiative has been funded by Nominet.
What people think
“This sort of initiative helps me enjoy my job more because it feels as if we’re getting to the heart of problems, rather than just treating the symptoms”
Dr. Marion Steiner, Bristol GP
Gaia is the lead researcher for the RSA Connected Communities programme and leads the organisation’s social network analysis. Gaia’s work focuses on examining the role of social networks in building resilient, empowered communities, and in promoting mental social inclusion and mental wellbeing. Prior to joining the RSA, Gaia worked as a Research Associate and online community manager for the Space Makers Agency
Gaia is the lead researcher for the RSA Connected Communities programme and leads the organisation’s social network analysis. Gaia’s work focuses on examining the role of social networks in building resilient, empowered communities, and in promoting mental social inclusion and mental wellbeing. Prior to joining the RSA, Gaia worked as a Research Associate and online community manager for the Space Makers Agency