Alison Gilchrist February 2014

Introduction and overview My background and journey Short Guide to CD as basis for my input Definitions and terms Development of ‘what’? History and models of CD Practice – principles and processes Current debates and dilemmas Future challenges Conclude with time for questions and discussion

Definitions and terms CD as working with, not for, communities to achieve improvements and address shared issues Problems, priorities and solutions determined by communities themselves Emphasis on shared concerns and collective strategies Values-based – social justice, inclusion and equality, human rights (small ‘p’ politics)

Brief history Several roots Three broad models Philanthropy Participation Partnership Pedagogy Politics Changing the system - radical Influencing the system - pluralist Making the system work better – consensus

CD as development of ‘community’ Self-help, organising for influence and action Sense of belonging and solidarity Efficacy Capacity Resilience Social capital Active citizenship Community engagement Shared identity Cohesion Well-being Mutual care and respect Volunteering Community pride/spirit

Processes and practice: 7 E’s all focused on interests of others rather than ‘self’ Enabling Empowering Encouraging Educating Equalising Engaging Evaluating

Various models Community organising/action Neighbourhood development Capacity building Informal education Community engagement/active citizenship Social investment/community enterprise Critical community practice User empowerment/co-production Asset-based community development Participatory action research Networking approaches

Debates and dilemmas Specialist occupation, approach or movement? ‘Deficits’ versus ‘strengths’ analysis Power dimensions – local -> global levels Social justice – various understandings Organic emergence or external intervention Role awareness/boundaries/responsibilities Orientation/accountabilities

Current and future challenges Employment situation and status Changing society and technology Invisible/precarious/contested job National occupational standards Maverick individuals Management difficulties Demonstrating impact/measuring value Policy-driven, short term Not community-led and long- term Funding and recognition of professional role Re-configuring ‘community’ geography, interest and identity Intersectional identities Increasing diversity and more mobile communities Rising inequalities and poverty Everyday Internet usage Social media, on-line networking Digital disadvantage

Some concluding thoughts Policy shifts in recent decades Partnership – contracts, user involvement, V+CS commissioning Community engagement/empowerment Localism – planning, community-run services Big Society – self-help, volunteering Paradox – best CD is invisible, so constantly needs re- discovering by successive governments and generations Potential – massive and enduring

Resources and reading Gilchrist and Taylor (2011) Short guide to community development Craig et al (2011) CD in the UK – a reader Ledwith (2005) Community development – a critical approach

Questions for reflection and discussion Would you say you using a CD approach in your work or your life? Thinking about your own experience, do you recognise the opportunities and issues I have raised? What’s been useful and what’s missing?