PlaceCal capability model

PlaceCal capability model

Our impact measurement framework is therefore based on the capability of people in a neighbourhood to be able to find information, do their jobs effectively, or one of a range of other skills. We have based it on the “capability approach” promoted by the UN Human Development Programme that aims to ensure work is undertaken in an inclusive and outcome-focussed manner. This methodological approach formed the foundation of MAFNs age friendly research, and draws on world-leading research into place-based community development from our UK partners The Wellcome Trust Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health.

Role: Citizen

Description: Residents using PlaceCal. Typically over 50s who have multiple risk factors for social isolation, and very little technical skills. It’s important to note that the other core capabilities are citizens as well: for example, most managers who run groups for over 50s are also in this category.

Example task: I can find out what institutions, organisations and groups there are in my area, and what they are doing.

Role: Prescriber

Description: A range of roles such as GPs, library assistants, neighbourhood workers and family members who want a list of high quality and up to date events to refer people to. This is a key role for the platform: many non-computer users will be using it with assistance.

Example task: I can find out everything there is to do in my area this week in a reliable and consistent format.

Role: Manager

Description: People who manage community organisations on all scales from large national institutions with local offers, to unincorporated community groups running a coffee morning out their living room.

Example task: I can make sure that information about who we are and what we are doing is published and promoted.

Role: Admin

Description: Organisational workers who add and update their information on PlaceCal directly. They work with secretaries to create a listing of their organisation on PlaceCal, and add their event feed to the centralised daily events listings.

Example task: I can publish information about who we are and what we are doing in various forms

Role: Coordinator

Description: People working in an area to bring organisations and people together. They could be local community workers, health workers, or community organisers delivering PlaceCal on the ground. We discussed this role in the “development process” section.

Example task: I can work with organisations to help them publish their information and make sure the right people know about it.

Role: Commissioner

Description: People and institutions who fund the PlaceCal platform. They can either be community groups looking for a tool to bring their neighborhood together, or city or health authority managers looking to help their staff work in a more networked way. We explored this role in the “market potential” section.

Example task: I can enable my team to find out who the local experts are in an area when using an asset-based approach.

Role: Developer

Description: People working on the PlaceCal platform, adapting it for their own area or need, or working with PlaceCal’s API feeds.

Example task: I can access local information about places and events programmatically to build my application.

Meaningfully addressing exclusion

A place-based and community engaged process is essential to meaningfully address exclusion for vulnerable and socially isolated individuals and groups. By tackling social and digital inclusion through the training and software combined, our process enables removing the specific barriers in either domain by giving people the capabilities to do what they need.

Key benefits of PlaceCal
Digital & Spatial inclusion
Getting started for commissioners
PlaceCal capability model
Co-creation: developing the PlaceCal prototype