Economics with People
Subscribe and follow along as we share what we are learning using co-production with local people in economic development for health improvement.
Introduction
Salford has the fastest growing economy and population in north-west England. There are several major developments in the city, including Media City and the Salford Innovation Triangle.
However, long-term unemployment in Salford is three times higher than pre-pandemic, attainment by young people is below the national average, and there is an above average number of people with no qualifications.
In response, Salford has begun a journey of economic transformation with a range of initiatives to create a fairer, greener and healthier Salford and, through the Economies for Healthier Lives programme funded by The Health Foundation, aims to create a local economy that is good for people’s health and well-being.
The project takes a community wealth building approach so that communities build and retain their own wealth together. ‘Grassroots wealth building’ equips local people with the tools and information to thrive and creating pathways for them into the social economy through social business.
This is supported by practical action by ‘anchor institutions’ – public and private sector organisations that are tied to and have an important presence in Salford. Through the new Salford Local Anchors Network, their spending will benefit local communities at a city-wide level.
The impact of the project is being measured in relation to co-production of innovative local solutions, investment in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, number and growth of social enterprises and start-ups, and social impact.
The theme of this resource is co-production with local people. We see co-production primarily as a form of social and economic innovation - solving problems through ongoing explorations. It means an exchange between experts with a diversity of mindsets – local people and professionals from ‘the system’ working equally together.
We will tell our co-production story as it develops. We will release one ‘chapter’ per month, which will include audio-visual content and questions for the reader in their own locality.
Over one year, we will actively seek comments and feedback from the growing audience on each chapter. This feedback will influence subsequent chapters and our thinking for the project in Salford. We will also use it to develop and improve the final resource that will be published at the end of the project.
You can view our Growers Guide here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/6fd797cf34.html#page/1
Salford’s Economies for Healthier Lives project is part of the Health Foundation’s Economies for Healthier Lives Programme. The Health Foundation is an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the U.K.
The core team for the Economies for Healthier Lives project in Salford is based at Unlimited Potential, a community benefit society that specialises in social and economic innovation.
We hope that you will engage with us and contribute. If you want to know more or have any queries, please contact Orla McCann (Project Manager) at Unlimited Potential.
Salford's Economies for Healthier Lives project is supported by the Health Foundation, committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the U.K.
Images by Saz Media
