Thought pieces

Introducing our latest social innovation project: increasing social-connection through shops

Neighbourly Lab’s mission is to figure out how to tilt the way that local-places are set up, so that people... Read more

Who is painting Southdean Skatepark?

Following on from the success of the community murals in Drumchapel, Glasgow we are delighted to provide a third opportunity... Read more

Empowering young people in their community pays off

In times like these, where it feels like everyone is under immense pressure, people's priorities shift, often unconsciously, to help... Read more

Introduction to the “Magic Key Question” research-method

Context At the heart of the Glimpse Project is our methodological claim that we can elicit the texture of spiritual-yearning... Read more

Four metaphors to explain what we’re hoping to achieve with the Glimpse Project

The Glimpse Project is an initiative from Neighbourly Lab and the Woolf Institute. Its aim is to show the common-ground... Read more

What are our 2022 interns saying about Neighbourly Lab?

2022 was a very significant year for Neighbourly Lab: we found some great people to join us (we actually doubled... Read more

What is the Glimpse Project?

WHAT IS IT? It’s an experimental project to illuminate everybody’s beliefs in God or spirituality. We want to reveal what’s... Read more

How Glimpse Project got started – personal account from Harry Hobson

Harry, looking a bit worried (can’t remember why) outside Westminster Abbey. This is the nearest church to Neighbourly Lab’s offices... Read more

The magic of local community WhatsApp groups

In a national period clouded by uncertainty and financial downturn, many local communities across the country are using online groups... Read more

The power of celebrations for the individual and the community

Dressing with traditional costumes is a very popular thing in Bulgaria for all generations. It is done for community celebrations,... Read more

One year of the Essential Mix

I can hardly believe that a year of our Essential Mix project has gone by (Happy Birthday EM! ). Time... Read more

Our trial is live! Encouraging greater kindness on London buses

Over the past number of months, we have been working closely with TfL and bus operators in London to develop... Read more

How supermarkets can be an exciting new hub for community outreach

As we roll out our Essential Mix project across the nation the need to be flexible, adaptable and malleable becomes... Read more

The role of technology in enhancing in-person interactions

Technology, especially mobile devices, usually has a bad reputation, being associated with detrimental effects on in-person social connection. However, in... Read more

Neighbours Comms Groups: Superpowers and FOMO

We at Neighbourly Lab believe that local neighbourhood comms groups are an essential tool for increasing social-connectedness in the UK.... Read more

Jane Jacobs and the importance of the seemingly trivial neighbourhood interactions

We love Jane Jacobs, and particularly her book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” published in 1961. For... Read more

Deep Listening with Residents: It’s always worth it

When we talk about social connection, everyone’s invited. Here at Neighbourly Lab, we create new spaces for conversations, enable openness... Read more

Why interactions between staff and customers are more important than you might think

Every day there are an estimated 250 million touchpoints between essential workers and residents in the communities they serve. We... Read more

The importance of social ties in the face of natural disasters

With all that is going on on the world's stage at this moment in time, one might be forgiven for... Read more