Between 2019 and 2022, the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University undertook research on behalf of the Centre for Ageing Better, Leeds City Council (LCC) and the Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF) into the effectiveness of the neighbourhood network (NN) model in the City of Leeds.
Neighbourhood Networks (NNs) are community-based schemes offering a range of activities and services with the aim of improving health and promoting independence.
Our aim was to better understand how this model of voluntary and community sector support could help people in later life – in their mental and physical health, in their wellbeing, in their activities and their social networks – with the aim of sharing evidence-based practice of ‘what works’ locally, regionally and nationally.¹
Our research shows how NNs contribute to positive outcomes for older people and support local and national policy priorities in health and social care. It is aimed at a variety of stakeholders – from local authority commissioners and staff to health and social care professionals. It outlines what has worked well, what lessons have been learned and therefore how services can be improved. It also considers the important issue of equitable provision of services and resources and what can be done to improve access for everyone including minority groups and those facing barriers to involvement.
