WHY?

In simple terms wellbeing is about how we are as individuals and collectively as communities. Improving wellbeing is a key measure of success and should be an aim for all of us, both for the immediate future but particularly for longer term planning.



Wellbeing encompasses the environmental factors that affect us, and the experiences we have throughout our lives. These can fall into traditional policy areas of economy, health, education and so on. But wellbeing also crucially recognises the aspects of our lives that we determine ourselves: through our own capabilities as individuals; how we feel about ourselves; the quality of the relationships that we have with other people; and our sense of purpose.


We can now be more specific about which factors matter for us to thrive. Current evidence on the relationships between different aspects of our lives and individual wellbeing outcomes means we can identify categories that have the greatest impact. As individuals, we can distinguish between external factors that affect our lives, and our own internal psychological needs. 1


The built environment and place-based solutions have a large part to play in addressing both individual and community wellbeing. Not just from the assets they produce but from the whole process, such as: ensuring community engagement in decision making; providing opportunities for volunteering and learning; the potential for a community hub to provide space for meetings, music, arts and craft activities; ensuring access to green spaces and the natural environment; incorporating opportunities for outdoor activity; capacity for housing interventions and employment.


1 What Works Centre for Wellbeing


The built environment and place-based solutions have a large part to play in addressing both individual and community wellbeing. 

The effect of loneliness and isolation on mortality is comparable to the impact of well-known risk factors such as obesity, and has a similar influence as cigarette smoking

Loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health: research shows that lacking social connections is as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (Holt-Lunstad, 2015). Social networks and friendships not only have an impact on reducing the risk of mortality or developing certain diseases, but they also help individuals to recover when they do fall ill (Marmot, 2010).


Loneliness and physical health

  • Loneliness increases the likelihood of mortality by 26% (Holt-Lunstad, 2015)
  • The effect of loneliness and isolation on mortality is comparable to the impact of well-known risk factors such as obesity, and has a similar influence as cigarette smoking (Holt-Lunstad, 2010)
  • Loneliness is associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke (Valtorta et al, 2016)
  • Loneliness increases the risk of high blood pressure (Hawkley et al, 2010)
  • Lonely individuals are also at higher risk of the onset of disability (Lund et al, 2010)


Loneliness and mental health

  • Loneliness puts individuals at greater risk of cognitive decline (James et al, 2011)
  • One study concludes lonely people have a 64% increased chance of developing clinical dementia (Holwerda et al, 2012)
  • Lonely individuals are more prone to depression (Cacioppo et al, 2006) (Green et al, 1992)
  • Loneliness and low social interaction are predictive of suicide in older age (O’Connell et al, 2004)


  • The total cost of dementia to the United Kingdom is £26.3 billion, £4.3 billion of which is accounted for by the NHS and £10.3 billion by social care costs. Costs are also incurred by people with dementia and their families, either in unpaid care or in paying for private social care (Alzheimer’s Society, undated).

  • Poor housing costs the NHS in England between £1.4 billion and £2 billion each year due to excess cold, damp and safety issues (Nicol et al 2015).

  • Delayed hospital discharges cost the NHS in England £820 million annually, though the true cost is probably higher, given that treatment may be diverted to the higher-cost private sector as a means of freeing up capacity (National Audit Office 2016).

  • Failure to fit adaptations or take other preventive measures is estimated to cost the NHS £414 million annually (Garrett et al 2016).
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  • Falls cost the NHS around £2 billion annually (Tian et al 2014).

  • The rate of hospital admissions and accident and emergency (A&E) visits for homeless people is four times higher than for the general public. Overall use of health services by homeless people is between four and eight times that of the general population, at an excess cost of £85 million per year (Department for Communities and Local Government 2012). Provision of homes for more people will contribute to alleviating these costs.