It’s not what you know…but who you know, so the saying goes. But how true is this? Research shows that people with strong social networks are, other things being equal, happier, healthier, wealthier. Social capital is the name given to describe people’s social networks and relationships - the people you have connections with, and who help you get by in life. It has also been described as the ‘social glue’ that holds communities together. However, levels of social capital are not evenly distributed and the most disadvantaged in society are more likely to have lower levels of social capital.

So what does social capital mean to the government, local authorities and the voluntary and community sector? Whose responsibility is it, and what can be done to harness and build social capital to help make stronger communities?

Wider interest in social capital in the North East started with a research study commissioned by ONE North East. They wanted to further develop work on social capital in the region from an awareness that strong communities with high levels of social capital are an important first step tackling worklessness and economic regeneration.

The Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, in partnership with Regeneration Exchange, launched the North East Social Capital Initiative in July 2006 with a conference hosted by ippr North. This is the first regional initiative of its kind and the two year project aims to raise awareness of social capital as a practical tool and identify good practice in the North East.

With funding from One NorthEast, a Social Capital Forum has been established to drive the initiative forward. Members have recently produced ‘Connected & Collective: An Easy Guide to Social Capital’ which is targeted at the grassroot level. It explains social capital, discusses why it is important and how it can benefit communities, and gives some ideas of ways that you can get connected and act collectively. It also includes a list of resources of other information and support on social capital.

Over the next six months, the Forum will also produce a collection of case study projects that are considered to be rich in social capital, to try and capture the ‘secret ingredients’ that can be transferred to areas with low social capital and help build stronger communities. A series of quarterly seminars are also underway to involve a wider audience and stimulate debate. The seminars are free and open to everyone.

How to Find out More…

Check out the 'Events' section for details of past and future events.

Alternatively, please contact George Hepburn, Community Foundation. Tel: 0191 222 0945 Email: gh@communityfoundation.org.uk

or Lyn Dodds, Regeneration Exchange. Tel: 0191 227 3500 Email: lyn.dodds@unn.ac.uk