The afternoon session got people talking about their successes and achievements, hopes and aspirations and generated a long list of resources, contacts and offers (Word file).
Some of the ones that stood out for me are:
- Hele's Angels: Come and visit and we will tell you how we did it. See how the shop works and how the community are involved.
- Bournemouth's councillor shadowing project encouraged candidates from different backgrounds. Contact andy.williams at bournemouth.gov.uk
- The midsummer fiesta in Montpellier (Cheltenham) - an annual multicultural citizens day event organised by a group of interested people and supported by volunteers.
- “Finding your voice: Influencing with integrity” workbook / guide (free) to community groups £10 to LAs and other organisations Ruth.townsley at locality.org.uk
- Community-led planning. How to go about it and get funding for it. www.commonplaces.co.uk
- Persuade your elected members to use the localism tools – they'll like them. Guide being produced by lesliesilverlock at groupwork.com
Lots more resources at:
- www.communitymatters.org.uk
- www.takepartexeter.org
- www.exetercvs.org.uk/activecitizens
- www.exetercvs.org.uk/speakingup
Not surprisingly, the many “what needs doing and what inspires us” circles had a strong emphasis on inclusion, bringing people together and making new links. Individual and community learning were identified as key processes. So, as I didn't participate in the activity, I'll include a link to what Zebra offers in relation to that here. I also a noticed a call for better recognition of soft outcomes and better ways of evidencing them. The Charities Evaluation Service has some good resources on this.
To all who were there – a reminder to take that first step towards making it happen...
And whoever wrote that the environmental sector doesn't know how to engage communities: contact me (email michelle at zebra.coop or @michellevirgo – lets do something about it!
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