Today we publish an update to our popular Places, spaces, people, and wellbeing with a new synthesis of case studies: Community hubs and green space: real-world evidence. 

This new synthesis of practice-based case studies plugs some of the gaps in the evidence on how community hubs and green spaces can enhance wellbeing in a place.Key findings from systematic review evidence: community hubsBoost social/community cohesionIncrease pride in areaIncrease civic activity/participation*Build trustIncrease individuals’ knowledge/skills*Increase social networks*Increase social capital*these findings were also corroborated by case study review evidence.This synthesis of practice-based case studies highlights the following.Additional community wellbeing benefits: community empowerment, new groups in the community forming.Additional improvements in mental health.Organisational benefits: opportunities for networking and partnership, raising organisational profiles, improved access to commissions/funding.Unforeseen outcomes: new informal support networks in the community, creation of skills training programmes, ‘peer-led’ becoming widely appreciated, asset-transfer programme developed, reduction in health and social inequalities as community hubs support disadvantaged communities.Key findings from systematic review evidence: green spacesBoost social/community cohesionImprove families’ wellbeingImprove individual mental wellbeing*Improve social relations/interactions*Increase individuals’ knowledge/skills*Increase social capital*these findings were also corroborated by case study review evidence.This new synthesis of practice-based case studies highlights the following.Additional community wellbeing benefits: opportunities for social activities and volunteering, increased skills, knowledge and confidence within the community, community empowerment via participant-led activitiesAdditional individual wellbeing benefits: gaining employment and a sense of purpose, a transformative change in some people’s lives.Organisational outcomes: strengthened organisational capacity; strengthened or new partnerships; increased influence or organisational profileDelivery: Multiple and layered interventions developed in response to local need and to reach disadvantaged groups, effectively reduce wellbeing inequalities and achieve broad aims of wellbeing and empowerment.Learning processes to gather insights to improve interventions were prominent in some cases.Mechanisms identified: building connections and partnerships, asset-based approaches, adapting to local need, community participation and co-production
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