Influence and contribution

At its most simple, a sense of influence and the ability to contribute to decisions affecting our environment can give us the freedom to hang a picture on a wall in  our home. But in a broader sense, it can also mean having the opportunity to contribute our knowledge or to have a say in how our neighbourhoods are designed and managed. In our homes, this can be through the provision of living spaces we can make our own, and at a neighbourhood scale this could be regular engagement in local decision making or more hands-on, long-term, community stewardship.

In a neighbourhood, a sense of control can be achieved through community, tenants’ and residents’ groups, communication with local councillors, neighbourhood watch groups, parish councils, community land trusts,  neighbourhood plan groups and civic societies. The involvement of the community in decision making, co-production and co-design (collaboratively designing together), and looking after local assets (e.g. community buildings and services, green and blue spaces, meanwhile spaces for activities, and public open spaces with facilities) is likely to improve feelings of agency and has a clear impact on health and wellbeing for all.

The health impact of giving communities a greater level of influence and control over decisions that affect their day-to-day lives is clear and well documented. The evidence particularly highlights the importance of influence in relation to quality-of-life outcomes.[1]

When done well, public participation can address power imbalances, foster relations, and create better connected communities. Participation can also create learning spaces stemming from local knowledge and generate positive outcomes on health behaviours, perceived social support outcomes and reduce overall opposition to development.[2], [3]