Welcome to Social Circles.
Social Circles CIC is a Community Interest Company working to improve the prosperity, health and mental wellbeing of residents in rural Somerset, with a particular focus on villages and communities across the Somerset Levels & Moors.
Our work is rooted in the belief that rural communities thrive when development is place-based, community-led and focused on quality of life. This approach reflects findings from pan-European research into rural areas highlighting the importance of local identity, strong partnerships, wellbeing and long-term resilience.
Our projects are shaped by five interconnected principles that reflect both local experience and evidence from European rural development research, including the ESPON ESCAPE project on shrinking and deeply rural regions.
Our Rural Development Framework :
Place-based development rooted in local identity
Community-led and inclusive action
Improving wellbeing, connection and quality of life
Partnership, collaboration and shared stewardship
Building long-term resilience, not short-term fixes
Visit our Projects drop down to find more information about each project.
Evidence-led, locally delivered
Social Circles CIC applies these principles in a practical, locally grounded way, working alongside communities to support a healthier, more connected and more prosperous rural Somerset.
Our approach reflects what pan-European research has identified as effective in rural and sparsely populated areas:
• Place-based solutions
• Community empowerment
• Focus on wellbeing and quality of life
• Strong partnerships
• Long-term resilience
Social Circles CIC applies these principles in a practical, locally grounded way, working alongside communities to support a healthier, more connected and more prosperous rural Somerset.
