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Principles met

  • Co-production

    We will develop systems that enable citizens to be equal partners in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

  • Innovation

    We will embrace innovation in how we work with local communities to drive positive change.

  • New models of meeting priority needs

    In exploring new ways of meeting the priority needs of our communities we will encourage models, such as co-operatives and mutuals, which give greater influence and voice to staff and users. in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

Spreading Our Net originated with community health and social care staff in Eccles and Irlam (in Salford) highlighting that a key challenge for them was the loneliness experienced by many local people that they see.

Spreading Our Net initially ran for 12 months from October 2020 in Barton and Winton, near Eccles. The focus was on not creating anything new, but better connecting what is already there – especially community and local businesses, which are the mainstays of most people’s lives.

This was done, firstly, by scanning and networking in the neighbourhoods (‘wandering with purpose’). Work was then done to identify lonely people and their trusted contacts. To nurture a sustainable approach, local, organic networks were grown and made more complex through identifying and linking ‘connectors’, ‘mavens’ and ‘salespeople’ in the community and all sectors. In this way, the community offer was increased by developing sustainable routes to connect lonely people to community and activities.

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