This research project is an evaluation of the Connected Communities Hub (CCH) in Bath and North East Somerset (BANES). The CCH is a support service hub brought together to meet a broad range of urgent social, economic and health needs amongst the residents of BANES during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hub is a partnership between BANES, Virgin Care, 3SG (3rd Sector Group - an umbrella volunteering network) and other concerned voluntary sector organisations, including Bath Mind, CURO, Help Age and Citizens Advice.

By combining the analysis of the client, organisational and systemic levels, we seek to provide a basis for informed discussion of the functioning of the hub and its possible future contributions. We will draw these together to explore a range of broader questions about the innovativeness of the CCH approach and its sustainability.

Project team

• Dr Charlie Larkin, Institute for Policy Research (IPR)
• Professor Nick Pearce, IPR
• Professor Julie Barnett, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Professor Allister McGregor, IPR
• Professor Christos Vasilakis, School of Management
• Tim Kaner, Department of Marketing
• Katrina Kelly, Department of Marketing

Outputs

• Report: The Bath & North East Somerset Community Wellbeing Hub: An evaluation, November 2021