VONNE

What is Social Capital?

Social capital is the social glue that helps people, organisations and communities to work together towards shared goals. It comes from everyday contact between people, as a result of their forming social connections and networks based on trust, shared values, and reciprocity. There are a number of expressions that are commonly used that sum up what social capital means – “give and take”, “community spirit”, “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”, “it is not what you know but who you know”.

Social capital is important because research shows that areas with high social capital can improve the behaviour of children and educational attainment; are cleaner, safer, healthier and more prosperous. Robert Putnam, a leading writer on social capital found that joining one group cuts in half your odds of dying in the next year. www.bowlingalone.com

Organisations that have high levels of social capital have good knowledge sharing, lower transaction costs and lower staff turnover. There are however negative examples of social capital. It can support negative behaviour and lead to exclusivity. For example criminal gangs and cartels.

The North East Social Capital Forum

The North East Social Capital Forum is a two year project looking at ways of building social capital in the North East. This cross sector forum raises awareness of social capital, identifies good practice and emphasises the benefits. The forum hosts a series of quarterly seminars that are open to all. Leading academics have spoken on topics such as networks and neighbourliness. The forum, supported by One North East, the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Regeneration Exchange has developed an Easy Guide to Social Capital.

To find out more contact Lyn Dodds at Regeneration Exchange: 0191227 3500
or lyn.dodds@unn.ac.uk

The forum has a micro site at www.ignite-ne.com

Does the North East need a Progressive Social Strategy?

This was the question asked by IPPR north when they brought together One North East Government Office North East, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, VONNE,  BECON, the large regional grant making bodies and leading academics from across the region.

Some in the region feel that the North East is dominated by a narrow measure of economic growth.  We have traditionally divided policy into three areas – social, economic and environmental.  With an Economic Strategy in place, and a Regional Spatial Strategy about to be finalised, is there not a risk that the third side of the triangle will be missed?

With no less than 27 different strategies with a social emphasis at the region level alone, there is a growing belief amongst some that social issues are being dealt with in a fragmented way and need untangling.  Some, visibly shuddered at the thought of yet another Regional Strategy for the North East, and the thorny question of who would shoulder the responsibility for the strategy was only lightly touched upon.

The mood of perhaps the majority of the contributors at the IPPR seminar was that if we ignore the voices of people living in less economically prosperous parts of the region and focus so strongly on economic drivers then we risk accentuating the divide between the two North Easts.  The result is a great quality of life for those in work, along side low aspirations and exclusion for those who are not. 

The East of England has a Social Inclusion Strategy, which runs hand in hand with the Regional Economic Strategy, with the two cross referencing each other, assisting a more holistic approach to regional development. As One North East is poised to take on the majority of the roles held by the North East Assembly, in particular responsibility for the new Regional Integrated Strategy, it is essential that One North East consider social inclusion and do not apply rigid national economic standards at the expense of all else.

To contribute to this debate, contact Jo Curry Policy and Development Manager at VONNE jo.curry@vonne.org.uk.

Does the North East need a progressive social strategy?  Is available at www.ippr.org/north