Case Study: Outside Lives
Introduction
Outside Lives, founded in 2019 by Lucy Powell, is a pioneering social enterprise based in North Wales. This organisation was born out of Lucy's disillusionment with traditional social services, which she found to be siloed and segregated, often failing to meet the real needs of communities. Inspired by permaculture principles—earth care, people care, and future care—Outside Lives seeks to build inclusive, sustainable communities by connecting people based on shared interests rather than their perceived challenges. This case study explores the transformative impact of Outside Lives' programs on individuals and communities, emphasising the integration of sustainability, wellbeing, and genuine inclusion.
Programme Overview
Outside Lives operates on the belief that communities, like ecosystems, thrive when diversity is embraced and nurtured. The organisation offers a range of programs and activities designed to bring people together based on their passions, whether gardening, crafts, performance art or outdoor adventure. By moving away from traditional models of social services, which often categorise individuals based on their disabilities or challenges, Outside Lives focuses on what people can do and what they love, creating a more holistic and integrated community model.
Lucy Powell explains,
"What we've been doing in social services is siloing people into segregated services... It's actually degenerating what real community is and eroding what real community should be." Outside Lives was established as an alternative approach that prioritises connection, inclusion, and the environment.
Key Activities
- Volunteer Progression Programme: This programme is at the heart of Outside Lives, offering individuals the opportunity to volunteer in ways that align with their interests and goals. The program is highly personalised, helping volunteers discover their strengths and find purpose. Lucy shares an example:
"We had a young person who wanted to be an accountant. We matched them with our treasurer, got them onto an accountancy course, and now they're employed by the NHS."
This programme not only benefits the volunteers but also strengthens the community as a whole.
- Spark Programme: Recognizing that some individuals need additional support due to life circumstances, the Spark Programme provides tailored, person-centred programs for those not ready for volunteering. This program has had significant success, including a case where a participant who had long struggled with mental health issues found stability and purpose through the programme, ultimately gaining employment and re-engaging with their community.
- Community Events: Outside Lives hosts regular community events that are free and accessible to all. These events cover a range of themes, such as art, food, gardening, and upcycling, and are designed to bring people together in a welcoming, supportive environment. The events foster social connections and provide opportunities for skill-sharing and mutual support.
- Training and Wellbeing Days: To sustain its operations, Outside Lives offers training on topics such as co-production and community development, as well as wellbeing days for teams and corporate groups. These activities generate revenue to support the organisation's broader mission while promoting sustainability and community wellbeing.
Impact on Wellbeing and Community Connection
The programmes at Outside Lives have led to improved mental health, reduced social isolation, and stronger community connections. The organisation’s approach is grounded in the belief that when people are connected to nature and each other, they are more likely to care for both. As Lucy notes,
"It's only when you care about something do you want to protect it."
Outside Lives fosters a sense of belonging and purpose that contributes to overall wellbeing by creating opportunities for individuals to engage with nature and their community.
One of the most impactful aspects of Outside Lives is its commitment to genuine inclusion. The organisation creates spaces where everyone can contribute and feel valued regardless of background or challenges. For example, the "Knit and Natter" group brought together people of all ages and abilities, from a woman with dementia who once taught sewing to a young mother learning to knit. This simple, inclusive activity blossomed into a support network that extended beyond the group's meetings, illustrating the powerful ripple effects of true community connection.
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
Permaculture principles are deeply embedded in the work of Outside Lives. The organisation emphasises sustainable practices in all its activities, from upcycling materials to promoting conservation and forest school programs. This commitment to sustainability is about reducing environmental impact and fostering a deep, reciprocal relationship with the earth.
Lucy highlights this approach:
"Rather than preaching about how people need to do stuff, it's about connecting people to nature... so they begin to care about it, and then protecting it should come hand in hand."
By integrating sustainability into everyday activities, Outside Lives educates participants about environmental stewardship and empowers them to take action in their own lives.
Challenges and Future Directions
One of the significant challenges Outside Lives faces is the lack of formal evaluation and funding to measure the long-term impact of its programs. While individual projects are evaluated, the organisation lacks the resources to assess its overall model comprehensively. Lucy acknowledges this gap, noting,
"What I really would love is the evaluation of the big picture... to demonstrate that this model works and that people should take note of it."
Despite these challenges, Outside Lives continues to grow and refine its model, with a vision of influencing broader social and systemic change. The organisation seeks to demonstrate that its community-based, inclusive approach can be a transformative model for other regions, reducing the demand on traditional health and social care services.
Conclusion
Outside Lives exemplifies how permaculture principles can be applied beyond agriculture to build inclusive, sustainable communities. By focusing on what people can do rather than their challenges, and by fostering connections between individuals and the natural world, Outside Lives creates ecosystems of care that benefit both people and the planet. As Lucy Powell aptly says,
"We believe that we would be stopping people from knocking on the front door of health and social care... if this model was fully functioning."
This case study highlights the potential for innovative, community-driven approaches to create lasting positive societal change. Through its commitment to inclusion, sustainability, and wellbeing, Outside Lives is transforming individual lives and paving the way for a more connected and caring world.