In the context of austerity and growing inequalities between areas of relative wealth and those of increasing poverty and poor life chances, the need to better understand potential for change and sustainable change, derived from investments in community-engaged action, has never been more pressing.Applications in practice
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Contribution to CISL’s core research themes
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Inclusive and resilient societies
About the project
This project will identify the breadth of activity by UK-based retail organisations in support of community wellbeing, with particular focus on tackling disadvantage and/or building resilience in disadvantaged communities. Identifying ‘promising’ initiatives, it will consider which activities are working for whom, under what circumstances, and why, developing proposals that will be tested through case studies and system-mapping with key stakeholders. Working with a retailer and members of the public, ‘grass-roots’ consultation will produce an understanding of what resources are available in the local area, what concerns, challenges and priorities people have, and what action they would like to happen as a result.
The study combines scoping review, theory development, primary data collection through case studies and participatory, co-design of community-engaged actions.
Impact and relevance
This project will contribute to an improved evidence base to support decisions about engagement and investment in community activities and promote a systems-thinking approach to solutions which take account of the retail sector as a partner in population health and wellbeing.
Outputs
Recent blogs:
Could supermarkets become the new superheroes by helping to build community resilience?
Anticipated 2020:
Lee, C. (2020). Inequalities, disadvantaged areas and potential of the retail sector. Working paper.
Lee, C. (2020). Concepts and theory in wellbeing and resilience. Working paper.
Collaborators and funding
This work is supported by a philanthropic gift from ASDA.
Research team
Catherine Hammant
Catherine is a Research Associate investigating the nature of community interventions by retail organisations and their effectiveness in enhancing wellbeing. Trained initially as a chartered surveyor she has extensive experience of community-led regeneration focusing primarily on market towns. More recently her PhD considered the implementation of public realm schemes and the influence of policy and practice on the quality of outcome.
