When we started working in wellbeing and economics in 2014 we were looking for a simple guide to measuring social value, but one that was credible and robust. We couldn't find one, so eight years of work led us to creating our own. So here it is - the ‘Where’s WELLBY poster (definitely not a value bank) that bring together many of the major things that matter to our lives. You can now see, in one big picture, how different factors like loneliness, jobs, apprenticeships, physical activity compare to each other in terms of their value to our lives.
And this is all using the new WELLBY measure as recommended by the 2021 HM Treasury Green Book. It couldn’t be more bleeding edge and relevant. What you can see is that:
Mental health is twice as important as physical health.
Loneliness is a big problem.
An apprenticeship is pretty much as good for you as university.
Free marriage guidance counselling is probably a good idea.
Suffering from a long term health condition is a big negative
Getting outdoors, being physically active and volunteering all help with health.
The poster is drawn by the brilliant Simon Ecob, whom you may recognise from his work for Britain’s leading toilet humour magazine, Viz Comic (well worth a pound of anyone’s money).
This really is 10 years of work and a bit of a dream come true. And a valuable addition to the walls of any office, boardroom, or lavatory. Now you can get your hands on a PDF or real life printed poster!
“I find myself looking at it again and again”
A2 printed poster, matt finish. Printed at the Copyshop in West Norwood South London which is part of a mental health charity that helps people back into work after mental health struggles.
Only 50 printed.
To accompany the poster we have produced a full technical explanation of how all the values are arrived at and how you can use them in your project.
This guide can help if you are:
Setting up a project and want to prioritise areas that have the greatest social impact and value;
Looking to estimate the potential social value of your proposal;
Reporting the social value of your project in monetary terms - but only after robustly evidencing that impact with the State of Life / Green Book compliant methodology.
This guide cannot help if you:
Are seeking to report social value but don’t have any data from those you are claiming to help (and don’t intend to collect any).
Have broad output figures of things you have done and want to get them pumped up into big sounding and incredible social value figures
Get in touch if you want to work with the WELLBY and use the guide values.
