Abstract
Background: West Belfast harbours some of Northern Ireland's most deprived neighbourhoods, and the 2023 Department of Health inequalities report highlights a pronounced life expectancy gap of 11.2 years for males and 15.1 years for females, vividly illustrating the close association between socio-economic deprivation and adverse health outcomes.
Context: Civic Dollars, a community-based currency platform, encourages citizens to be more active in their local parks and open spaces through incentivizing via mobile application. The app uses geo-fencing technology and is based on a social cryptocurrency platform. For every 30 minutes spent in a geo-fenced outdoor park, participants earn 1 Civic Dollar. The dollars can be used to purchase rewards, such as 6-week healthy courses which promote adopting healthy behaviours. The courses are tailored according to participant feedback through social engagement, social media and focus groups held within the local community in West Belfast and include activities like Yoga, Fitness, Dance, Tai-Chi, Healthy Cooking, Fishing and Carpentry.
Aims: This project aims to; 1) investigate the feasibility of a community currency-based platform designed to enhance health and well-being and reduce inequalities in underserved communities within West Belfast; and 2) assess the impact of the 6-week healthy courses for encouraging the adoption of healthy behaviours, improving physical and mental wellbeing, and increasing community care systems.
Methods: Civic Dollars collaborated with Ulster University and West Belfast Healthy Living Centre (HLC) for the implementation of this project. A total of 324 adult male and female participants (age: >40 years) from West Belfast were recruited to volunteer in the study, which commenced in March 2023 and will conclude in February 2024. Participants were provided with the option of 36 different geo-fenced local outdoor spaces through which they could earn Civic Dollars, to purchase 82 different types of health orientated rewards from within the local community.
Measurements: The 7-item Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) and Adult Well-being Assessment are used to assess participants’ perceptions of physical and mental wellbeing, social and community care systems, and relationships across three time points (pre, mid, and post). Qualitative assessment of the user experience of the Civic Dollars app in the initial two months was conducted through one focus group led by the Ulster University team. A second focus group will explore participants' perceptions and experiences regarding the impact of the 6-week healthy courses.
Results: To date, n=2955 hours have been spent in selected earn zones with n=5510 dollars earned. Preliminary qualitative insights from the initial focus group revealed six overarching themes, highlighting reinforced social ties, enhanced community relationships, and positive impacts on physical and mental wellbeing. The project envisions that participants might embrace healthier behaviours, increase social engagement, and improve community care and support. Statistical analysis of questionnaire responses is underway, with the results set to be presented at the International Conference of Integrated Care in 2024.
Funding: This project is funded by innovate UK Healthy Ageing Scaling Social Ventures.