Making Connections: A Capacity Building Approach to Health and Well Being

Simpson L¹*, Wood L², Stockwell M³, Leggett S⁴ and Penn D⁴

1. Faculty of Business, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
2. Department of Communities, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
3. Atherton Learning Centre, Atherton, Queensland, Australia
4. Service Leadership and Innovation Research Programme (SLIRP), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Participation in a series of Internet based projects has facilitated significant social benefits for community members marginalised by age, ethnicity, gender, geographic location and/or disability in a rural region of far north Queensland, Australia. The projects were underpinned by a belief that lack of access to information and social isolation can impact adversely on health and well being at both the individual and community level.

Outcomes from these projects challenge narrow approaches to health and well-being. We draw on a framework of capacity building and empowerment that enables individuals to make informed choices and exercise increased control over their lives. Specifically, we describe the process used in these projects to provide access to information in an inclusive and supportive environment and, even more importantly, to create connections between individuals and groups that foster social inclusion. Such connections have provided vital ongoing channels for information sharing and social support that are critical to health and well being.

Click here to view the full paper