1. PECKHAM IN HALESWORTH?
Sociotechnical Systems: IT and the Future ofWork (March 2015)
Suzanne Amos
Sanda Budimir
Taufiq Hartantyo
Tanay Manohar Kapoor
David Little

2. IN SUMMARY
A bit of context
Overview of our research
Our ideas
Over to you!

3. WHAT ISTHIS ALL ABOUT?
Applying the ideals and ideas of the Peckham Experiment
(1926-50) to the town of Halesworth, Suffolk in 2015
What can Peckham teach us about promoting health and fitness
in the 21st century?

4. THE PECKHAM EXPERIMENT
Unit of participation: the family
Purpose-built centre
Social activities and exercise
Run by local people for local people
1 Shilling a week
Scientific observations
Pre-NHS - no free GP appointments

5. 60+YEARS LATER
A National Health Service but under strain
A ‘perfect storm’ of pressures?
Different health challenges to 1930s and 40s
Ageing population and related illnesses
Wicked problems?
A different social context
Peckham: the family as unit of membership
Opportunities?

6. FROM PECKHAMTO
HALESWORTH
Total population 9,156 people
2 Main age groups, 45-64 and 65+
Halesworth is a hub for villages
nearby
Furthest away town from a hospital
Nearest gym is 9 miles away

7. OUR RESEARCH
Used methodologies and approaches to analyse sociotechnical
systems
Understand complexity of situation
Don’t jump to conclusions too early
How could you take this forward
No definite solutions (sorry!)

8. RICH PICTURE

9. Halesworth+and+Blythe+Valley+
Partnership+
Gym+is+
too+far+
away+
Will+people+
become+too+
anxious+about+
their+health?+!+
overcrowding?+
We+are+
healthy+
and+young+
Stronger+
community+
=+less+crime+
Will+I+lose+
customers?+
Let’s+improve+
Halesworth+
health+by+
replicaDng+
Peckham+
Healthy+kids,+
healthy+
minds,+good+
students+
Customers?+
Employees?+
Want+to+
stay+
healthy+
Why+is+
Peckham+
relevant+
today?+
I+want+my+
family+to+be+
healthy+
Importance+
of+the+
‘physician’s+
eye’+
We’re+
already+
using+
tech+
Want+more+
people+to+
aJend+
events+
Wish+to+sell+
more+local+
produce+
We’re+keen+to+see+
selfKorganising+
community+health+
iniDaDves+
The+Cut,+library,+
church+etc.+
ExisDng+
acDviDes…+
U3A+
ExisDng+
structure+
9+miles+away+
Local+council+
Any+
cost+to+
us?+
CCG+ Data+
privacy?+
Quality?+

10. AN APPROACH EMERGES
“A system to empower inhabitants of Halesworth to organise
community events.”
Transformation: inhabitants of Halesworth have the knowledge
and support to organise and participate in community events
THEMSELVES

11. WHAT WOULD NEEDTO
HAPPEN?
It would need to be an easy to use system: inclusive and
accessible to all
A model of support would need to be created
It would need to be financially supported
It would need to provide access to facilities and services

12. A KEY PECKHAM IDEAL:
SELF-ORGANISATION
“The initiation of clubs or groups or the pursuit of any adult
activity is in the hands of the members themselves.”
“All activities should as far as possible be continuously available
to the unskilled as to skilled; to the shy as to the bold.”
Pearse, I. and Crocker L. (1943). The Peckham Experiment: a study in
the living structure of society. London:Allen and Unwin

13. WHY SOCIAL EVENTS?
“There’s a clear association between physical activity, socialising
and wellbeing.”
Dr Jane Moore, director of public health for Coventry City
Council

14. HEALTH PROMOTION:
NEW APPROACHES
“I need to do something different. I need to think outside the
box.”
“We’re building on activities not seen as health … but enable
people to have a better quality of life.”
Dr Jane Moore, director of public health, Coventry City Council

15. PHYSICAL ACTIVITYTHAT ‘JUST
HAPPENS’

16. BACKTO PECKHAM
Social activity was an important
component of the Peckham
Experiment

17. HOW COULDTECHNOLOGY
HELP?
Local social network
Facilities booking system
Activity monitors (like fitbits)

18. WHAT WE NEEDTO KNOW ...
Events in Halesworth
Venues: booking?
Who currently organises?
What events do people want?
Would residents pay for events?

19. CHALLENGES
Promotion
Finance
Participation

20. THANKS,AND OVERTOYOU…
How could you see this approach working in Halesworth?