Stimulating and building compassionate and humanising networks for promoting sustainable safer and healthier communities: Researcher reflexivity on the Local Network of Care (LNOC)

Abstract

There is a current burgeoning interest in networking as an approach to working more effectively in under-resourced communities. This study explores networking as a critical strategy to strengthen relationships among social actors and mobilise assets and resources to address challenges of health, safety, injury, and social justice in disadvantaged communities. The Local Network of Care (LNOC), is used as an illustration, to reflect on the operational processes and values of the network to engender and build just and sustainable safer communities. Primary sources of data include newspaper clippings, LNOC social contract, institutional annual reports, monthly agendas, attendance registers, and reflective notes of members of the LNOC. The findings illustrate that building a humanising, cohesive, supportive and trusting network can contribute to strengthening agency and transforming individuals and organisations. Additionally, it can contribute to sustainability, building safer and just communities, and mobilise assets and resources of the network to help mitigate psychosocial and economic challenges