Southwark Circle is an extraordinary project run by Participle that enables its members to participate in programs to reinforce the community by matching people offering services with those who need them. The project is a great example of the redesign of public services and the application of design thinking in the social sector. It has been recently launched and promises to bring very valuable insights on the shift from 'project' into a financially sustainable and scalable model.
One of the smartest things and a personal favourite about this program is the way they communicate with their stakeholders and target audience. The first thing I realised after reading the project brochure is that there is no mention whatsoever to the age of the members, not even in the website. This is not a random decision but an expression of how they address the real problem: our perception of ageing and its effects on our behaviour towards the elderly people. This project focuses not only in the solution of the sympthoms (the real need of assistance and help) but in educate the younger generations about how to approach the ageing process with more care and respect.
Congratulations to all the team behind this amazing project!
