Community capacity building
Neil LambertVoluntary Action Charnwood
IdentityWhere do I live? Identify your
community by:- Place name – village/estate People who are members Number of people <100, ’00s, > Size of area – district, region Interest – e.g. birdwatchers
Stronger communities strategy within SCSseeks to empower communities to Define themselves, so that members
identify with each other Recognise other communities Engage effectively with the authorities
who plan and provide public servicesIn order to improve the lives of everyone
in Leicestershire
Community development Social justice Participation Equality Learning Co-operation Environmental justice – action to
protect and improve
Types of change DOING something new or
differently Spending more money Making more physical effort STOPPING doing something,
whether benefits apparent or not
Campaigning – one-off or longer-term May not require formal records Could reach more people by direct
personal contact, including in their own groups
E.g. signing up to pledge Time intensive but more success
Set up a new group Function – purpose, why, what,
aims, activities, duration, outcomes, impact
Form – charity (constitution), company (M+A), loose terms of reference (simple statement)
Publicity to join; and to achieve aims/outcomes/impact
Leading & Organising Charismatic leader Motivator or Persuader Direct contact at local level Coordination in communities Getting things done through
meetings Actions louder than words
Disciplines Record keeping Registration and compliance Cash and banking Accountability for funding Lack of support Failure to achieve
Checklist Ask whether a group is needed What purpose/aims? Short-term? What activities and members? How will you judge success? How will others judge success? Assess effort required, and risk,
against benefits achievable