A life of my own choosing

Ageing Well through the lens of Asset Based Community

Development

Cormac Russell, ABCD Institute

ABCD in a nutshell

About the ABCD Institute

Est. 1995,

Northwestern

University, Illinois

- Presence on every continent throughout the world.

Tell us a story…..

‘Can you tell us a story about a time when

you and your neighbours came together to

make things better?’

people focusedtheir attentionon….

What can be doneinstead of what can’t be done

What

might be

possible if

rather than problems

more than weaknesses

In the real world there are both strengths and needs

So where is most practice focused?

Where is most policy focused?

Transition from village communities

to the money economy

Children and Familieshave deficiencies & needs

Children and Families also have skills and talents

The Dilemma . . .

On which should we focus most?

Fundamental Needs

Security

Autonomy

Belonging

Competence

?

Emotional & Material

Agency. Independence. Sense of efficacy in the world. Plus authenticity

Community, Family & Friends, as giver & receiver

Ability to sustain tasks of choosing, to contribute.

Russell, C (2010)

Festival Day in Thornton Heath-Sept 18, 2011

And on the day people were invited to share their gifts….

This is Shirley with her neighbour...Shirley is a neighbourhood connector

Why have a meeting when you can have a party?

The connectors want to discover hidden treasure and build relationships….

They had already knocked on doors, and heard peoples stories like Mr and Mrs Ahmed…..

Paul Macey who is a wonderful Community Builder, and isfacilitating the process on behalf of Croydon Voluntary Action and Croydon NHS sat with Peggy and heard her story….

And Peggy and Mr & Mrs Ahmed were connected

The connectors have experienced the power of connecting people…

And they have been mapping local associations too….

And seeing the huge potential for connecting these assets also….

And the older people will have plenty to teach the kids as well…

Bingo!!!!

Being intentional about the process of engagement, mapping:a) associations; b) capacity/contribution and then invitation

What gifts and talents would you like to share?

Wow! That many? What would happen if we had these conversations with everyone in Thornton Heath?

Young people are leaders of today, not tomorrow, we invite them in. The message on the day: Thornton Heath needs you, we can not do this without you…

And they stayed for the vision….

News flash: the streets of Thornton Heath were filled today with young people (and the young at heart) making fun…and Community

Even strangers are Twice as Likely to

Assist as You Think

Studies by Flynn & Lake (2010) of Columbia University show that people underestimate how likely others are to help by as much as 100%

‘You can’t know what you need, till you know what you have…’

The glass is half full…..

Social inclusion? Where it matters?

Participation

Friendship

Intimacy

Economic Exchange

Full circles indicate capacity to deal with life andare a powerful measure of health in our society.

Our Solutions are often not fit for purpose

Real change…Real change…

The move is from services to clients

to

supports for citizens

Health

Doing work the old way

Processes with ownership

Before you reap the harvest…..

Strengths-based Community Development Methodology

Discovering Strengths

Organizing & Mapping

Linking andMobilizing

Community Driven Initiatives

Sustaining the Process

Contact

Cormac Russell,

ABCD Institute & Nurture Development

cormac@nurturedevelopment.ie