“One of the most exciting and rewarding moments in a project like Wellbeing Scripts is when a GP learns about a House and the breadth and depth of health promotion, social connection, learning and training initiatives that are available, and the preventative possibilities for their patients – it’s like a new door has been opened”
Dr Shelley Bowen, Health Futures Australia, www.healthfutures.org.au
WSSB draws on a social innovation approach deeply rooted in Human Centred Design – we are starting with an agile, people first focus, to strengthen and connect existing community and health resources.
Sometimes projects that need to build new systems can fall under the weight of their complexity- being overwhelmed by the amount of resources and change that is needed for something new. For this project our purpose is clear and different – the “Wellbeing Script” adopts a social innovation approach.
This means we deeply engage, learn, prototype, test and improve a localised ‘light’ referral pathway between doctors and Neighbourhood Houses. The users of the Wellbeing Script are best placed to design what works. Our first step of deep engagement and insight gathering is undertaking a wide range of ‘dialogue interviews’ with doctors, medical practices, and Neighbourhood Houses leaders. Then focussing on communities across the region, we look at the interview data, and further evidence, and start to develop and test ideas, constantly adapting and improving until it works for doctors and Neighbourhood Houses in their community.