Stories

We know that good community empowerment makes a real difference to people's lives. It helps them to solve the problems and barriers that they face and improves quality of life and access to resources in their communities. It has the greatest impact on those that face the toughest barriers, such as single parents, refugees, social housing tenants and people who have had limited access to education. We want to tell those in power about the difference that community empowerment has made to people's lives, to explain why it needs to be supported and why it is such a good investment.

Read our case studies

We have written some case studies of exciting empowerment projects in the South West. Read more case studies about empowerment on the Creating Excellence website:

• Neighbourhood meetings improve dialogue between police and the community in Gloucestershire and equip local residents with chairing skills
  
  
• Empowerment training run by Somali women in Bristol opens up opportunities and increases voter turnout and dialogue with council.
  Watch the video of trainer Nura Aabe's personal empowerment journey during the project.

• Extensive older people's empowerment programme reduces isolation and increases health and wellbeing in Dorset

• Locally rooted, community-led organisation attracts almost £1m to Lyme Regis and engages hundreds of volunteers
  
• Empowerment Works in community research (South West Foundation)
  

Map of more examples and stories of community empowerment:

View Empowerment Works Stories in a larger map

Share your story

To share your story on our website please complete the following form:

---

Organisation/Project title:

Contact name:

Email:

Postcode(s) (for mapping - use more than 1 postcode if the project takes place in more than one location):
          

Description (max 50 words):

Link for further information (web address):

Link to video (if applicable):
(or email the video to isabel@southwestforum.org.uk)

Please note: clicking on the Submit button WILL email the form details to us. No confirmation message is displayed. We will email you to confirm when your project has been added to the map.

---

Write a case study to promote your project. Read some advice and tips.