A think-tank study provided an overview of where the most acute psychological and material needs were in Britain, and which needs might became more pressing in the future. There was a severe lack of social support amid soaring levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and obesity. The study looked at why some people could cope with shocks and setbacks and others could not; and at the implications for policy, philanthropy, and public action.
Source: Sinking and Swimming: Understanding Britain's unmet needs, Young Foundation
Links: Report | Summary | Young Foundation press release | Guardian report | New Start report
Date: 2009-Dec
A survey examined the role that optimism played in people's lives, focusing on the importance of optimism both as part of individual identity and personal outlook and as a central factor in social relationships.
Source: Optimism, Social Issues Research Centre (01865 262255)
Links: Report | SIRC press release
Date: 2009-Aug
A think-tank report said that dreams and aspirations could encourage a more resilient, inspired, and hopeful society.
Source: Alessandra Buonfino and Silvia Guglielmi, Wishful Thinking, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Date: 2009-Jun
An article examined the evidence for an association between area-level social capital and individual-level subjective health.
Source: John Snelgrove, Hynek Pikhartb and Mai Stafford, 'A multilevel analysis of social capital and self-rated health: evidence from the British Household Panel Survey', Social Science & Medicine Volume 68 Issue 11
Links: Abstract
Date: 2009-Jun
A new book examined contemporary social evils – the underlying problems that posed the greatest threat to society in the 21st century. Although some evils – such as poverty – had endured as undisputed causes of social harm, more recent sources of social misery attract controversy: these included an alleged rise in selfish consumerism driven by economic liberalization, and a perceived decline in personal responsibility and family commitment.
Source: Contemporary Social Evils, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500) with Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: Summary | JRF press release | Extract (1) | Extract (2) | Extract (3) | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Jun
A new book said that decades of neoliberalism had undermined the institutions and social relations on which solidarity, trust, and citizenship depended. This had left contemporary British society in a 'troubled and dysfunctional' state, without the cohesion or confidence needed to escape from recession, combat climate change, and restore faith in government. It set out a political project aimed at creating a greener, fairer, happier, more democratic, and less divided Britain.
Source: Pat Devine, Andrew Pearmain and David Purdy (eds.), Feelbad Britain: How to make it better, Lawrence & Wishart (020 8533 2506)
Links: Summary
Date: 2009-Apr
A think-tank report called for a radical rethink of social 'resilience'. Citizens and communities were the true source of resilience for society, rather than structures or centralized services. The report highlighted what policy-makers could learn from people's resourcefulness, and pointed to new tools that could transform society's ability to respond when disaster struck.
Source: Charlie Edwards, Resilient Nation, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Date: 2009-Apr
A paper examined the influence of public service organizations on aspects of the quality of life (broadly measured) of citizens at a local level.
Source: Adriana Castelli, Rowena Jacobs, Maria Goddard and Peter Smith, Exploring the Impact of Public Services on Quality of Life Indicators, Research Paper 46, Centre for Health Economics/University of York (01904 433648)
Links: Paper
Date: 2009-Apr
A think-tank report examined the connexions between society, the economy, and the environment, and drew out their implications for social policy. Policy and practice needed to aim for sustainable social justice. To achieve this, the welfare system needed to be transformed. The role of government would remain central, but a new social settlement was needed that depended less on the market economy, and instead valued and nurtured two other economies – the resources of people and of the planet.
Source: Anna Coote and Jane Franklin, Green Well Fair: Three economies for social justice, New Economics Foundation (020 7820 6300)
Links: Report
Date: 2009-Feb
A report said that the United Kingdom fared comparatively poorly on combined measures of social and personal well-being – coming only 13th in a league table of 22 European nations. People in the UK aged 16-24 reported the lowest level of trust and belonging anywhere in Europe.
Source: Juliet Michaelson, Saamah Abdallah, Nicola Steuer, Sam Thompson and Nic Marks, National Accounts of Well-being: Bringing real wealth onto the balance sheet, New Economics Foundation (020 7820 6300)
Links: Report | NEF press release | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Jan