Social innovation articles

Evaluating Innovations in Mental Health

Evaluating Innovations in Mental Health

Coming up with innovations in mental health is not necessarily about inventing a new service, but rather incorporating improvements and ensuring existing quality, says David Pilgrim, lead evaluator of NESTA's Innovations in Mental Health scheme

The war on global warming

The war on global warming

That global warming is the most pressing problem facing our planet is a message hitting home with UK householders. Yet there remains a gulf between understanding the issues – and taking personal action to help prevent them.

Growing a greener future

Growing a greener future

As the world's natural resources grow ever more scarce, the urgent search for greener alternatives is accelerating, encouraging increasingly imaginative solutions to the global crisis.

Marching to the beat of climate change

Marching to the beat of climate change

The need to reduce our carbon footprint is no longer a subject of debate, warns founder of Julie’s Bicycle, Al Tickell. It's time for the music industry to take matters into its own hands.

The disruptive approach to low-carbon innovation

The disruptive approach to low-carbon innovation

To tackle climate change we must stop relying on 'quick fix' technological solutions and start adopting new low-carbon ways of working and living, says Dr Michael Harris.

Climate change: turning talk into action

Climate change: turning talk into action

If climate change is the most important problem facing the human race, why aren’t we doing more to incentive the reduction of our carbon footprint, asks environmentalist Tom Burke

Mental health and the hunger for innovation

Mental health and the hunger for innovation

To rejuvenate mental health services in the UK, we must move away from the "tried and tested" and focus on new ways to improve patient experiences, says Clare Allan.

The challenge for health in the 21st Century

The challenge for health in the 21st Century

To tackle the health challenges facing the UK in the 21st Century, we must stamp out the fear-of-failure culture plaguing our health professionals, says Lynne Maher.

The potent arts

The potent arts

What role can the arts play in supporting mental health and wellbeing in individuals and communities, ask NESTA Fellows Mike White and Mary Robson

Good medicine for healthcare

Good medicine for healthcare

We ask Geoff Mulgan if innovating and improving the UK's healthcare and patient support services is as important as the latest wonder-drug treatment.

A war of the mind

A war of the mind

Alex Linklater explores the 'deep, cultural fault-line' that is dividing our understanding of the way the mind works, and its impact on mental health services.