Since the Trump election and Brexit vote, there has been a renewed focus on the plight of post-industrial communities who tended to voice their displeasure by supporting those movements. Research from the University of Liverpool explores how the plight of the English town of Preston has been improved.
Preston, a city in the North West of England with a history of economic disadvantage, has taken the lead in implementing a novel approach to economic development, known as Community Wealth Building. This approach involves investing local wealth in the local economy, promoting the growth of local businesses, enhancing recruitment and employment conditions, and maximizing the social use of land and property.
Boosting the community
The study investigates the impact of Preston’s Community Wealth Building program on the health of its residents. According to the findings, the program’s introduction was linked to a reduction in mental health problems, as well as improvements in life satisfaction and economic indicators.
The study revealed a decrease of 3% in antidepressant prescribing, and a 2% decrease in the prevalence of depression, during the period when the program was launched. The researchers also noted that the local population experienced a 9% rise in life satisfaction and an 11% increase in wages, compared to expected trends during the same period.
Preston’s Community Wealth Building program appears to be a promising approach to economic development, with significant benefits for the health and well-being of the local population. The findings suggest that this model may be a viable option for other economically disadvantaged areas seeking to improve their economic prospects and community health.
“As we emerge from a pandemic that has disproportionately affected the health and economy of the most disadvantaged places, new and inclusive approaches for economic recovery are needed,” the researchers explain. “Our research provides valuable evidence that such approaches can help improve health as well as benefiting the local economy.”
Regional inequality
The United Kingdom exhibits some of the most significant variations in health outcomes across its regions, in comparison to other European nations. This stark disparity in health is believed to stem from pronounced economic inequalities that exist between different regions within the UK.
“Our study indicates that the approach to economic development applied in Preston provides lessons for the UK government,” the authors continue. “Policies to ‘level-up’ the health, wellbeing and economy of disadvantaged places are often based on the principles of attracting inward investment into places such as Preston. ”
Although various methods have been attempted to reduce inequality and enhance overall well-being, they have not always yielded the desired results. The research suggests that an alternative approach, centered on Community Wealth Building, may prove more effective in achieving improvements in well-being. Further exploration is needed to gain a better understanding of the potential benefits of this approach.
