Background Strathcarron Hospice has supported an Asset Based Community Development approach since 2020. Compassionate Community Builders (CCBs) discover what is strong in communities and what people are passionate about, connect people together over these passions and skills, and step back, allowing friendships, social networks and natural supports to form. Complex social networks and sense of power and purpose lead to people living longer and improved outcomes for those who are unwell or bereaved (Holt-Lunstad. Ann Rev Public Health. 2022;43:193–213; Brose, Willis, Morgan. Palliat Med. 2023;37(8):1210–21). However, measuring the impact of CCB input on community connection and wellbeing is challenging and complex.

Aims To use Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) (Nobles, Wheeler, Dunleavy-Harris, et al. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2022;22(1):72) to capture and illustrate the work of CCBs, and the impact their work has on individuals’ connections in their community and their sense of power, purpose and wellbeing (Chazdon, Emery, Hansen, et al. A field guide to ripple effects mapping. University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing; 2017).

Methods Three facilitators met with two staff members to create hand-written maps. Starting points were established using a place that the worker had visited, then an organic conversation was facilitated to discuss who the CCBs had met, what people’s stories were, what their gifts were, who the CCBs had introduced them to and the impact of these introductions. A graphic artist was commissioned to illustrate some threads in the REM. CCBs checked back with community members to ensure stories accurately portrayed their experiences.

Results Two Ripple Effect Maps have been created to highlight the impact of the community connections CCBs have made in the communities they work in, illustrating the gifts of individuals, the actions community members have taken themselves and the lasting connections they have made with each other.

Conclusion Ripple Effect Mapping illustrates the impact of CCBs’ work more accurately than quantitative data, highlighting the positive outcome community connection has upon an individual’s power to take control of their own lives, increase their purpose and the depth of relationships with others in their community.