Local by Social: Networked Neighbourhoods

Here’s Hugh Flouch!

• Hyperlocal communities
• Harringay Online – 2,900 members, 4-500 visits a day, 2-300 visitors a day
• Has discussion forum, event promotion, information about public services, photo gallery and local history archive
• ‘a bible of local information and gossip’ – BBC news
• ‘the biggest residents’ association in the borough’ – a local cllr
• It’s also a peer support group
• Is translating into on the ground impact. Campaigns eg on betting shops and transport issues.
• Events are organised by the community, meetups, festivals and parties
• Next move is into co-production. During the snow, the site was used to organise action on snow clearing
• Now doing research into London’s ‘digital neighbourhoods’
• Using local sites results in meeting new neighbours and a greater sense of belonging
• Also increases likelihood of contacting politicians or local council officers
• Also results in improved perception of local politicians etc