Our tool Local Insight gives instant access to more than 1,500 diverse, local level datasets – and we pride ourselves on keeping everything up to date (a big shout out to the OCSI Research Team who tirelessly mine open data sites looking for new updates and releases!).
Within Local Insight, we hold Community Life Survey data, which can bring qualitative elements of how people feel about the place they live in. When sat alongside other datasets about deprivation, health and employment, we can start asking some interesting questions around what factors potentially contribute to residents’ perceptions of where they live. And similarly, challenge some of our assumptions as to what makes a thriving community.
Previously, this blog was focused on a dataset called Community Dynamics, constructed by Social Life; an organisation specialising in research and community projects exploring how people are affected by changes in the built environment.
While the Community Dynamics dataset is no longer available, we continue to offer insights into community cohesion through the Community Life Survey, which provides up-to-date perspectives on community engagement and cohesion.
If you’d like to explore further datasets that are useful for understanding communities, we have some suggestions here.
Community Dynamics data was constructed by Social Life; an organisation specialising in research and community projects exploring how people are affected by changes in the built environment.
A positive score (greater than zero) indicates that an area is performing better than the national average and a negative score (below zero) indicates an area is performing worse than the national average.
For commissioners, policy-makers and anybody else involved in the design and delivery of local services, Community Dynamics data could be used to bring additional depth into the understanding of your local areas.
Particularly, these datasets could have a role to play in projects and initiatives looking to work in a more asset-based way.
The Community Dynamics data highlighted areas that score highly on sense of belonging, satisfaction and local social relationships.
Comparing the Community Dynamics data to other contextual datasets could help identify areas that are similar on a range of socio-economic indicators, but differ greatly in terms of social relationships and perceptions of the area. Examining this information side by side could help you select case studies of similar areas with different community dynamic outcomes to explore what other factors are in play that lead to residents in these similar areas feeling particular isolated/included or positive/negative about their local area.
Pin-pointing these areas can provide a platform for important conversations with residents about why they think this is. Insights from these conversations can be used to learn from what is working, and export particular initiatives and ideas to other neighbourhoods.
Understanding how people feel about the places they live can be useful information when considering the built environment. Are particular designs and spaces more likely to foster positive perceptions of belonging and encourage social relationships?
We have blogged before on how data on the prevalence of loneliness could be used to shape environments to be more inclusive for elderly people. And the same could be said for using Community Dynamics data to inform the design of community spaces.
It goes without saying (although we will say it anyway…) that no single dataset can tell us the whole story about a particular area. However, adding subjective data around perceptions alongside the socio-economic and demographic context sets us on the way to a more rounded picture.
While Community Dynamics data is no longer available in Local Insight for you to explore, more than 1,500 other socio-economic datasets for local areas are – including Community Life Survey data.
Community Life Survey data gives valuable insight into how people feel about the place they live in and can shape decisions about which services are offered in particular neighbourhoods.
Overlaying this data on a map could help answer questions and influence decision-making on:
This could be used to make a compelling, evidence-based case for funding for local projects.
Register for a free trial of Local Insight now and
Social Life originally developed Community Dynamics data, and continue to work with clients who want a deeper understanding of community strengths and engagement. If you’re interested in their asset-based approach, you can contact their team directly.
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