What works for community wellbeing: a public debate

This briefing reflects discussions that took place at two public hearings organised by Leeds Beckett University on behalf of the What Works Centre for Wellbeing, Community Wellbeing Evidence Programme. The briefing sets out some of the evidence and ideas that emerged from the research conducted by the What Works Centre for Wellbeing Centre and the public hearings. It identifies some of the challenges and opportunities around community wellbeing, including the nature of community wellbeing evidence, the relationship between inequality and community wellbeing, and the role of local systems in promoting community wellbeing.

The public hearings brought together stakeholders from universities, statutory health organisations, local government, politicians, the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector (VCSE), and the public. The hearings used deliberative methods to consider and debate a range of evidence on what works for wellbeing – from academic research through to front line experience. They each included presentations of evidence from the Community Wellbeing Evidence Programme and from professional practice, responses and questions from an expert enquiry panel, and group deliberation and discussion.

The first public hearing focused on the relationship between inequality, vulnerability, and community wellbeing and was held at Leeds Beckett University in October 2017. The second public hearing focused on what can be done across local systems to support community wellbeing and was held in Sheffield Town Hall in May 2018.

Both public hearings were held under Chatham House Rules to encourage openness and sharing of information. This means that quotes used in this briefing are not attributed to individuals.