Evidence for what works in building community capacity, and how it can save money

We have been working closely with Professor Martin Knapp of the London School of Economics and Political Science to try and address two key questions on the economics of social capital:

1) Does investment in building community capacity have the potential to prevent or delay the need for social care?

2) Does it have other impacts on individuals and communities that, in turn, will generate cost savings or have wider economic benefits?

Through his research, Professor Knapp has found that social capital ventures are widely seen as having the potential to improve quality of life for individuals and communities and can save money.

Professor Knapp has found that:

- befriending schemes cost around £80 per older person but could save around £35 in the first year of the scheme alone

- the cost per member of a timebank would average less than £450 and could result in savings of over £1,300 per member, and

- community navigators could cost under £300 with further savings of £900 per person in the first year due to reduced GP visits.

Read Martin Knapp's paper and view his slide set along with other available evidence on outcomes and cost-effectiveness that we have found to be useful. Some of this material may help to add weight to your own reports and business cases. Read also some research on social capital and improved outcomes.