1. Public & Collaborative Services: Case Study
The Circle Movement
Southwark, UK
http://www.southwarkcircle.org.uk.
Description
South Circle is a membership organization that provides help with everyday tasks, as
well as learning and social activities for the elderly. Each member can receive tokens for
every hour worked. Every token is worth one hour of service.
Citizen Role
Citizens join as members and participate as helpers or join activities that membership
provide.
Degrees of Involvement
Citizens participate as volunteers and members, giving and receiving support. The
organization also has a team that works on regular basis organizing the community,
developing communication for new members, organizing the operations and
coordinating the neighborhood.
Public Role
Combination of public-private partnership with Southwark Council, Sky and the
Department for Work & Pensions.
Service Diagram
Caring for Elderly and Children: Rosalind, Amber, Kara, Jennifer, Daniella

2. Public & Collaborative Services: Case Study
Enabling Systems
The Department for Work & Pensions together with Participle helped to build the system,
since the cost of supporting such elderly communities was high, this kind of organization
can help the government cope with such difficulties.
Local Community organizations also work as supporters and members.
Role of Digital Environment
On the web-site you can find the application to become a member, see the calendar of
activities and check with the last events promoted by the organization. You can not
donate through the website, but you can understand how the system works.
Background / History
Southwark Circle was co-designed and tested with over 250 older people and their
families, and developed by our partners at Participle Ltd., the agency who design the
system. It was launched in May of 2009. The involvement of members and Helpers is
fundamental for the continuity of the organization.
They received funding from Southwark Council to launch and develop their sustainable
model, and now they act independently.
Caring for Elderly and Children: Rosalind, Amber, Kara, Jennifer, Daniella