Social Capital Within the Neighbourhood

The two areas in which this study is based are located in Northern cities. The first area, Kirkside East, is a large council estate four miles from the centre of Leeds. It is predominantly council rented, housing low-income, mainly white residents, many of whom have strong local connections and at least three quarters have other relatives living on the estate and immediate area. It has had considerable upgrading, repair and the development of a new large supermarket, a Sure Start and other interventions. The second area is an inner city mixed-tenure area close to the centre of Sheffield called The Valley, with a population mix of many different origins, including Somalian, Yemeni, and Pakistani among others, and a significant white population. It too is dominated by council housing but to a much lesser extent and has a considerable amount of private terraced housing. It is part of the New Deal for Communities programme, as well as Sure Start and is undergoing significant regeneration with the demolition of some council estates.

This short study of social capital is based on an eight year longitudinal study tracking 200 families in four representative low-income areas, two in East London and two in the North (outlined above). The families were visited every year and have completed seven rounds of interviews. 60% of the original respondents were in the survey at the end. All are families with children and we interviewed the main carer, or most present parent. They were asked about a very wide range of subjects related to how neighbourhood conditions affect their family and bringing up children. Within this framework, they talk extensively about community, social networks, family relations and supports within the area.