Last week the Local Innovation team put together a list of its favourite social innovations and social innovation methods. The list celebrates social innovations both big and small. Some are ambitious; others are more modest (basic but brilliant). Some employ new technology, while others harness manpower and technology that's been around for generations.

We thought we'd share them with you.

Social innovations

1. Bicycle lanes because they encourage cycling, fight obesity on two wheels, and reduce noise and air pollution
2. Walking school buses because they instill the importance of exercise in children, build social capital and cohesion, and fight obesity on two legs
3. Trains because they bring transport options to the masses – “They are the peoples chariot”
4. Medicare on television because it helps the elderly access healthcare information in an accessible format
5. NHS walk in centers because it helps working people access healthcare with greater flexibility and was generated through user demand
6. Harlem Children’s Zone because it takes a holistic approach to addressing child poverty
7. SupSup Gardens in Papua New Guinea because they encourage intensive growing methods, biodiversity, and help people feed their families
8. Fixmystreet because it’s a quick way to contact your local authority
9. Open Source software because it’s collaborative and free (eg. Linux)
10. Divine Chocolate because it's based on a sustainable and broadly equitable business model and because it’s yummy
11. Meals on Wheels because it keeps people in their homes for longer, promotes healthy eating, is affordable (£3 a pop), and helps to combat isolation
12. Visitor Payback because it spreads the benefits of tourism to the local community
13. Extended schools because turns an existing asset into a community resource

Methods

1. Collaboration and bringing people together (i.e. London Collaborative, Wellbeing, Neighbourhood Futures and NAN)
2. Creative ideas generation through intensive facilitation techniques (for example, Taskforces)
3. Piloting (i.e. Wellbeing resilience programme)
4. Ethhnography and observation (i.e. Estates)
5. Trainstorming (it’s brainstorming on a train)