In 2020 Defra asked the Centre for Thriving Places to research which social, economic and natural environmental factors influence the wellbeing of people in rural areas.
Despite a greater focus on understanding wellbeing in recent years, there has been little research on the influence of rurality. This research identifies aspects of the social and natural environment that influence wellbeing in rural areas, to enable a more rigorous approach to embedding wellbeing in policy.
This research reviewed academic literature and reports, and conducted qualitative research with diverse rural communities and experts, rural leaders and practitioners. The final report includes a brand new Rural Wellbeing Framework and detailed indicator bank for rural local authorities and communities to use immediately to steer their work towards driving up levels of wellbeing across their regions, as well as a summary of the evidence used to support the Framework.
I was involved in the rapid evidence screening, triangulating of findings and report writing.
The full report is available here.