Social Connections Are Scientifically Proven to be Good for Your Health!

When Cornerstone began focusing on regeneration, the idea focused on the physical transformation of areas that had been neglected. 

The idea was simple; Cornerstone would build high-quality buildings where there once was a derelict building. This would change how an area looked, bring in new residents thus transforming the area. 

Whilst that is still part of the plan, we realise that we have to go deeper to bring about the sort of change we wish to see in the areas that we are working.

We realised we have to be intentional about helping our new residents build connections. Connections with each other and connections with their new community because we believe “life is better when you’re connected”.

That phrase is not just a nice soundbite, it is scientifically proven to be true and has been accepted in academic literature for decades. Back in 1988 the respected journal Science stated that “…studies which control for baseline health status, consistently show increased risk of death among persons with a low quantity, and sometimes low quality, of social relationships.” 

The starkness of that quote and the broader message within the paper is that social relationships play a major role in determining an individual’s health.

Motivated by that insight and captured in the phrase “life is better when you’re connected”, Cornerstone has gone about designing its own Community Programme called CommunityLife. We are being supported in this by an American organisation called ApartmentLife who deliver community programmes to 3 million residents across North America. We are adapting what they have done by increasing the importance of connecting with the established community, as well as adapting some elements to better suit the local culture. 

Cornerstone will be integrating CommunityLife into its developments as they are constructed.

For more information have a look at our website - CommunityLife

To access the Academic Paper (Social Relationship and Health; House, Landis & Umberson; Science; 1988) Click here -  Research Gate - Social Relationships and Health