PECKHAM IN HALESWORTH?Sociotechnical Systems: IT and the Future of Work (March 2015)

Suzanne AmosSanda BudimirTaufiq HartantyoTanay Manohar KapoorDavid Little

IN SUMMARY

A bit of context

Overview of our research

Our ideas

Over to you!

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

Applying the ideals and ideas of the Peckham Experiment (1926-50) to the town of Halesworth, Suffolk in 2015

What can Peckham teach us about promoting health and fitness in the 21st century?

THE PECKHAM EXPERIMENT

Unit of participation: the family

Purpose-built centre

Social activities and exercise

Run by local people for local people

1 Shilling a week

Scientific observations

Pre-NHS - no free GP appointments

60+ YEARS LATER

A National Health Service but under strain

A ‘perfect storm’ of pressures?

Different health challenges to 1930s and 40s

Ageing population and related illnesses

Wicked problems?

A different social context

Peckham: the family as unit of membership

Opportunities?

FROM PECKHAM TO HALESWORTH

Total population 9,156 people

2 Main age groups, 45-64 and 65+

Halesworth is a hub for villages nearby

Furthest away town from a hospital

Nearest gym is 9 miles away

OUR RESEARCH

Used methodologies and approaches to analyse sociotechnical systems

Understand complexity of situation

Don’t jump to conclusions too early

How could you take this forward

No definite solutions (sorry!)

RICH PICTURE

Halesworth+and+Blythe+Valley+Partnership+

Gym+is+too+far+away+

Will+people+become+too+anxious+about+their+health?+!+overcrowding?+

We+are+healthy+

and+young+

Stronger+community+=+less+crime+

Will+I+lose+customers?+

Let’s+improve+Halesworth+health+by+replicaDng+Peckham+

Healthy+kids,+healthy+

minds,+good+students+

Customers?+Employees?+

Want+to+stay+

healthy+

Why+is+Peckham+relevant+today?+

I+want+my+family+to+be+healthy+

Importance+of+the+

‘physician’s+eye’+

We’re+already+using+tech+

Want+more+people+to+aJend+events+

Wish+to+sell+more+local+produce+

We’re+keen+to+see+selfKorganising+

community+health+iniDaDves+

The+Cut,+library,+church+etc.+

ExisDng+acDviDes…+

U3A+

ExisDng+structure+

9+miles+away+

Local+council+

Any+cost+to+us?+

CCG+ Data+privacy?+Quality?+

AN APPROACH EMERGES

“A system to empower inhabitants of Halesworth to organise community events.”

Transformation: inhabitants of Halesworth have the knowledge and support to organise and participate in community events THEMSELVES

WHAT WOULD NEED TO HAPPEN?

It would need to be an easy to use system: inclusive and accessible to all

A model of support would need to be created

It would need to be financially supported

It would need to provide access to facilities and services

A KEY PECKHAM IDEAL: SELF-ORGANISATION

“The initiation of clubs or groups or the pursuit of any adult activity is in the hands of the members themselves.”

“All activities should as far as possible be continuously available to the unskilled as to skilled; to the shy as to the bold.”

Pearse, I. and Crocker L. (1943). The Peckham Experiment: a study in the living structure of society. London: Allen and Unwin

WHY SOCIAL EVENTS?

“There’s a clear association between physical activity, socialising and wellbeing.”

Dr Jane Moore, director of public health for Coventry City Council

HEALTH PROMOTION: NEW APPROACHES

“I need to do something different. I need to think outside the box.”

“We’re building on activities not seen as health … but enable people to have a better quality of life.”

Dr Jane Moore, director of public health, Coventry City Council

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THAT ‘JUST HAPPENS’

BACK TO PECKHAM

Social activity was an important component of the Peckham Experiment

HOW COULD TECHNOLOGY HELP?

Local social network

Facilities booking system

Activity monitors (like fitbits)

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ...

Events in Halesworth

Venues: booking?

Who currently organises?

What events do people want?

Would residents pay for events?

CHALLENGES

Promotion

Finance

Participation

THANKS, AND OVER TO YOU…

How could you see this approach working in Halesworth?