We’re delighted to report that Dawn Snape has agreed to become a trustee of the Happy City Initiative. Dawn advised us on the development of the Happy City Index while she was at the ONS.  She now works at the What Works Centre for Wellbeing as Head of Evidence and Analysis.

Here’s an introductory blog from Dawn about the findings of the wellbeing public dialogues which asked people across the UK what matters most to a good life. As a What Works Centre Pioneer, Happy City hosted the dialogue in Exeter with NEF.

The public dialogues on Wellbeing produced some inspiring and thought-provoking insights into public attitudes to wellbeing. As a new evidence centre aiming to bridge evidence about what works with action to achieve it, the findings have been really important in shaping our work plans and priorities. To capture as wide a range of views as possible, we went to Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Falkirk, London and South Tyneside to listen to what people had to say. In each area, we brought together members of the public, local and national policy makers and third sector organisations to discuss how best to support wellbeing. Discussions focused on three broad areas covered by the Centre: work and learning, communities, and participation in culture and sports.

What did people tell us?

Some things are seen as really essential to a good life- including a feeling of safety where we live, financial security, good physical and mental health, good quality food, a job, affordable housing and access to green spaces. People also want reliable, affordable transport.

Social connections and a sense of belonging are also crucially important- in our homes, in our communities and leisure activities, in education and at work. Feeling loved, respected and appreciated are central to wellbeing.

Beyond the wellbeing essentials, choice and opportunities for personal growth are all part of leading lives in which we thrive, including the chance to learn new things, feeling fulfilled in what we do, and being inspired by things and people around us.

Were there any surprises?

Wellbeing spans traditional divides. It is about how all the bits of our lives fit together- home, work, family, friendships, community, education, health, mental health.

But there were surprises for us. The same issues came up as important to wellbeing across the different topics we covered. We live and experience our lives as a connected whole and looking at just one piece of the puzzle misses the bigger picture of how it all fits together. This suggests a much greater focus is needed on joined-up approaches to policies and services to support wellbeing.

People were also clear that we are all responsible for our own wellbeing and for supporting the wellbeing of those around us- friends, family and community. It’s not necessarily about government doing things to or for people.It’s about providing the right conditions to enable people to have a good life and getting rid of the barriers that can get in their way. 

Building partnerships to bridge evidence and action

The What Works Centre for Wellbeing will be looking at the evidence of what works to improve wellbeing, as well as thinking about who this can help and at what cost, and we’ll be publishing our first evidence reviews this spring.

That’s a great starting point, but we know that evidence alone won’t bring change. We’re also working with a wide range of partners from innovative grassroots organisations like Happy City to big international players like OECD. Working together, we aim to get clear and easy to use evidence on what works for wellbeing into the hands of decision makers who need it- local and national policy-makers, businesses, and third sector organisations, service providers, people delivering services and people making decisions about their own lives.