Start: 09/09/2008 - 10:00 End: 09/09/2008 - 17:00 Timezone:

Public Wellbeing: Local action making national change

This ground-breaking conference showcased the work of the Local Wellbeing Project, a unique three year initiative aimed at testing out practical ways of improving public wellbeing in three very different areas of the UK, Hertfordshire, Manchester and South Tyneside, and will focus on the practical steps that can be taken in schools, communities and other public services to improve local wellbeing. This work remains the most comprehensive exercise to date on public policy from a wellbeing perspective.

Highlights of the conference included:

• Keynote addresses from ministers across the key central government departments, UK's and international leading experts and practitioners, James Purnell MP, Professor Lord Richard Layard and Dr Martin Seligman.

• Case studies and invaluable feedback from Hertfordshire County Council, South Tyneside Council and Manchester City Council, the three local authorities who are pioneering new approaches to promoting wellbeing in local communities

• Controversial debate on 'This House believes local government has no business trying to make people happy'

• A series of Wellbeing services on offer throughout the course of the day including chair yoga, tai chi, meditation and on-site massage.

The conference report, which draws together the key issues that arose from the day,  is now available to download.

Presentations from the conference can be downloaded here:

Keynote address:
Why is wellbeing an important topic – an international perspective?
Enrico Giovannini, Chief Statistician, Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development
Download Presentation

Why is wellbeing an important topic for local government?
Lucy de Groot, Executive Director, IDeA
Download Presentation

The Local Wellbeing Project
Geoff Mulgan, Director, Young Foundation
Download Presentation

Promoting emotional resilience among 11-13 year olds. Can young people be educated to be happy?
Dr Martin Seligman, Director of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Centre, and founder of Positive Psychology
Download Presentation

Promoting emotional resilience to older people. Feeling better in later life!
Dr Chris Williams, Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, University of Glasgow and author of 'Living Life to the Full'
Diana Whitworth, consultant
Download Presentation

Young People's progress through 16-19 year old transition – guaranteed apprenticeships
Irene Lucas, Chief Executive, South Tyneside Council
Dr Ian Johnston, Consultant
Download Irene Lucas's Presentation
Download Dr Ian Johnston's Presentation

How can we really measure wellbeing?
Professor Paul Dolan, Professor of Economics at Tanaka Business School, Imperial College
Nicola Steuer, Head of nef's Centre for Wellbeing, New Economics Foundation
Download Nicola Steuer's Presentation
Download Paul Dolan's Presentation

Neighbourhood and community empowerment: does it really make us happy?
Mandeep Hothi, Associate, Young Foundation
Professor Anne Power, Professor of Social Policy and Deputy Director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, LSE
Dave Barlow, Manchester City Council
Download Anne Power's Presentation
Download Mandeep Hothi's Presentation

Win:win situation. Parenting programmes and wellbeing
Professor Sarah Stewart-Brown, Chair of Public Health, Warwick University Medical School
Yvonne Roberts, Consultant
South Tyneside parenting group
Download Presentation

Sustainability and wellbeing: how can we achieve both?
Rosie Milner, Positive Psychology Researcher, University of East London
Beverley Taylor, Head of Environmental Campaigns, Manchester City Council
Download Rosie Milner’s Presentation
Download Beverley Taylor’s Presentation

For further information about the event please visit http://www.localwellbeing.org.uk/