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The centre for well-being is a new research centre at nef. Set-up in 2006, the centre builds on nef’s established well-being programme significantly expanding our work in this area, placing it at the heart of our policy and practice. The centre is directed by Nic Marks who has led nef’s well-being programme since 2001.
nef believes that well-being means increasing life satisfaction and promoting self-development, both for individuals and for communities. A well-being focus means redefining ‘progress’ and asking the fundamental question: Do our systems and economies really shape the world as we want it? nef advances new thinking in the area by conducting high quality research and consultancy, and informing public policy.
The centre for well-being works with a range of partners including European institutions, government departments, Regional Development Agencies, Local Authorities, Local Strategic Partnerships, private sector companies, charitable trusts, community groups, and voluntary organisations. Our expertise covers five broad areas:
- Measuring well-being and the factors that influence well-being. Our work in this area involves the collection and analysis of datasets to measure levels of, and variations in, well-being. nef’s model of well-being is comprehensive, focusing on psychological dimensions but also incorporating environmental, social, and economic aspects.
- Providing the tools to assess and positively influence well-being. Our toolkits are designed to assess or audit well-being at the individual, community and organisational level. Typically they include a combination of core elements, based on nef’s robust model of well-being, alongside flexible tools that can be tailored to individual needs. This area of work includes assessment toolkits in relation to well-being and the arts.
- Exploring the organisation of the future from a well-being perspective. This research programme involves exploration of a range of future scenarios for companies and organisations, setting and updating baselines regarding their role in promoting well-being and contributing to sustainable development.
- Informing and influencing public policy. Through both advocacy and consultancy, we aim to put well-being at the heart of public policy. We work across a broad range of policy areas, with a specific focus on health, education, sustainable communities and sustainable development.
- Delivering training to develop and enhance an understanding of well-being. We devise and deliver training both standard and bespoke training courses to help organisations understand how a well-being focus can be applied in a range of policy and organisational settings.
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