Local services refers to spaces, facilities and social infrastructure such as community centres, schools and educational facilities, town halls, care services and digital services. Access to these services and community spaces are key in helping to combat social isolation, in providing essential moments of connection and in helping us to grow. Our neighbourhoods should therefore provide us with a variety of services that allow us to connect with others and be cared for throughout our lives. 

All this comes under the umbrella of social infrastructure, which provides important services and facilities to the community. Ultimately, these services and facilities not only benefit the residents and wider community, but they also go a long way in combating social exclusion and isolation. Services extend beyond the built facilities, covering the infrastructure that helps people connect with their local and global communities, so also include access to reliable and affordable internet services. 

Access to social infrastructure is a big part of what determines quality of life. In particular, access to recreational and non-recreational destinations can have a positive impact on social interactions for adults, [121] alongside positively affecting mental wellbeing and increased physical activity across different population groups. [122] Furthermore, the provision of community infrastructure can have a positive impact on overall community cohesion, enhance social cohesion, [123] and provide opportunities for the formation of new social connections and bonds. [124] Community hubs have been shown to demonstrate positive effects on community and individual wellbeing, individual empowerment and the social determinants of health. [125] The benefits of social infrastructure also extend to the provision of affordable and easily accessible internet, as people who are digitally excluded are more likely to have worse access to essential services and be more likely to have worse health outcomes as a result. [126]

References

[121] Spatial Planning for Health: An evidence resource for planning and designing healthier places (2017)

[122] Designing healthier neighbourhoods: a systematic review of the impact of the neighbourhood design on health and wellbeing. Ige-Elegbede, J, et al. In Cities & health 6, no. 5 (2022): 1004-1019.

[123] Community Cohesion and Resilience – Acknowledging the role and contribution of housing providers. Centre for Local Economic Strategies. (2014)

[124] The Impacts of Social Infrastructure Investment A report for local trust. Frontier Economics (2021)

[125] Review refresh: Places, spaces, and social connections. What Works Wellbeing (2023)

[126] Digital Exclusion Among Mental Health Service Users: Qualitative Investigation. Greer B, et al. In J Med Internet Res 2019;21(1):e11696