Why Social Networks?
The basic premise is that the lack of positive social networks, that is the personal networks of family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances we each individually have, is literally bad for you health. More specifically a lack of positive social networks:
- puts you at greater risk of homelessness;
- makes the transition out of homelessness even more difficult than it already is;
- often leads to failure to sustain a new tenancy; and
- leads to repeat episodes of homelessness – each more damaging than the last.
There is a substantial body of research supporting this premise and identifying the cost to the individual and to the public purse.
Where We Came From
The Scottish Social Networks Forum was created in response to recommendations in the Homelessness Task Force Final Report to raise awareness of the need for positive social networks; to support the development and integration of befriending, mentoring and mediation services for people affected by homelessness or at risk of homelessness and to assist local authorities and homelessness projects who are required to develop assessments and provision to support social networks.
The correlation of poor social networks and homelessness is direct but positive social networks are the foundation for strong, supportive, sustainable, healthy communities and a route to preventing not only homelessness but also inequality of access to services and exclusion generally. This was recognised by Malcolm Chisholm MSP when he was Minister for Communities and was reflected in his Ministerial Statement on Abolition of Priority Need by 2012.
Significantly it has been reinforced by Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, who said:
“Strong social networks can play a key part in preventing homelessness and breaking the cycle of repeat homelessness. …. “Feeling valued as part of a social network is essential for everyone’s wellbeing – and especially for people feeling isolated because of homelessness.”
The isolation, loneliness and vulnerability experienced by individuals with weak social networks is damaging to their health and well being. Indeed there is a direct link between strong positive social networks and everything from prevention of homelessness - through increased resilience - to recovery from open heart surgery! The lack of strong, positive social networks is particularly damaging to those already socially excluded from society through unemployment, disability, race, experience of being looked after in local authority care, veterans or other institution leavers but can have an adverse affect on any of us. All these factors in turn impact on homelessness.
What We Do
The Scottish Social Networks Forum has developed a range of tools to highlight the importance of social networks. These tools are available through our website.
· The Training Pack was developed by professionals in the social care field, and has been produced to enable local trainers, managers and team members to deliver social networks training to their own frontline colleagues and volunteers. Scottish Social Networks Forum can also provide a training day which is suitable for frontline staff through to management.
· The Toolkit was created as a model for befriending/mediation/mentoring projects, offering an insight into the potential challenges when setting up a project and using case studies to discover what makes projects a success. The toolkit is currently being updated but you can still find it on the Scottish Social Networks website.
· The Scottish Social Networks website includes a professional database, discussion forum, links to other resources, quarterly newsletters and announcements on upcoming events. The full versions of the Toolkit and Training Pack are available online and other resources are published as they become available.
The Rock Trust has a very successful and innovative Social Networks project and an excellent track record of successful partnership working. It is because of this that they are funded by Scottish Government to develop and manage Scottish Social Networks Forum.
The Rock Trust Research Project
The Rock Trust has been awarded a grant of £317,323 by the BIG Lottery Fund’s Research Programme in order to undertake a 4 year research project, with the support of Glasgow School of Social Work at Strathclyde University.
This research looks at the role of housing support services in enabling individuals who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness to build positive social networks, with a view to help optimise the quality of support each service is able to provide
A three phase approach will be taken to the research.
1. A survey of Scottish local authorities and housing support services.
2. In depth investigation of 4 pilot areas based round tracking a sample of service users and using service user interviewers.
3. Development of models of support, resources and a conference to disseminate results across Scotland.
The Rock Trust will manage the research partnered by Strathclyde University and supported by a Steering Group involving representatives of all groups who will be involved in and benefit from the research. A full time research fellow will undertake the research with academic support from the Glasgow School of Social Work and project management from the Scottish Social Networks Coordinator backed up by the Rock Trust management team. In the final phase the Rock Trust will develop and disseminate training and share the experience of involvement in research.
Research Outcomes
The research will provide robust evidence to influence local and national policy and provide staff with the functional best practice models and skills to develop or revise practice and bring direct benefit to service users. Both service providers and service users will be directly involved throughout the process – in design, delivery and dissemination. Not only will this ensure relevance, but will also develop user employability along with skills in developing, executing and utilising research. Ultimately the research aims to help to prevent homelessness, reduce isolation, increase personal independence from support services and promote interdependence, community and family relationships.
Further Information and Contact Details
You can find out more by contacting Lesley Stenhouse using our online contacts page or by visiting us on www.scottishsocialnetworks.org for more information.