It’s something I’d rather not be asked by someone with a questioning mind. Should it be a relief that the Government is in the same boat? Or, to wrap it up in the more formal language of the newly published Report on Localism from the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee, there’s a ‘lack of clarity about the nature of localism . . . The Government should be explicit about the choices it has made about what type of localism it wants to pursue.’ Putting it another way ‘the actions the Government has set out so far, both in the Localism Bill and in the programmes of individual departments, give an overall impression of inconsistency and incoherence.’
Empowerment Works is a movement of people and organisations committed to building support for community empowerment in the South West and beyond. For more information please visit the Empowering Communities website.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Thursday, 2 June 2011
A new era for neighbourhood planning?
The government has just announced some areas which are to pilot new Neighbourhood Plans, and I'm interested to see how this new approach will follow on from earlier community plans. See the Department for Communities and Local Government for the pilot areas, which include North Somerset (Backwell), South Gloucestershire (Hanham) Torbay (Brixham) and West Dorset (Sherborne) in the South West.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Bigger Society
Film Real One are an independent film company who've been collecting people's views on the Big Society idea. Three films have just been posted on their Bigger Society channel and copies have been sent to local MPs and cabinet ministers. Who else do you think should see them?
So far, Film Real One have completed this work unpaid and unfunded. They'd like to roll the project out, and are seeking funding to do so. If you think you might be able to help with this, please get in touch.
So far, Film Real One have completed this work unpaid and unfunded. They'd like to roll the project out, and are seeking funding to do so. If you think you might be able to help with this, please get in touch.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
The multifaceted nature of community empowerment
I spent a really interesting day yesterday exploring the role of voluntary sector networks in supporting community empowerment. It was a research workshop feeding into the development of a new course for infrastructure organisations (such as CVSs, rural community councils and specialist networks of volutnary organisations) to help them to empower community groups. Changes, who facilitated the day, are now developing a new training course which we (South West Forum) are running on 23-24th June in Taunton.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
A Duty to Empower?
I've just responded to Edward Andersson's blog on the Red Tape Challenge proposals to repeal the Duty to Involve with a legally naive, but socially optimistic suggestion that incorporates equality considerations and meaningful deliberative involvement. It's here. What do people on Empowerment Works think?
It's also worth mentioning that the Equality Act is one of those up for consideration under the Red Tape Challenge. If you feel moved to comment on that, you can do so here.
It's also worth mentioning that the Equality Act is one of those up for consideration under the Red Tape Challenge. If you feel moved to comment on that, you can do so here.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Practical Tools for Community Engagement
One of the most popular workshops on the Empowering Good Practice programme, was our Practical Tools for Community Engagement course, attended by over 100 people during the life of the project. People seemed to like the range and simplicity of the tools presented. “Very logical, very simple .: very effective” - in the words of one participant
All the tools we use and teach have grown out of a long tradition of participatory working that has its origins in overseas development work, and which continues to develop today. For more about the background see Have you been PA'd? or this exploration of community mapping by the Pathways through Participation project. We've often marvelled at the range of participation tools out there, and how some almost seem to be competing with each other – but in reality the ones that work best seem to share some common characteristics.
Friday, 15 April 2011
What are you doing to support community empowerment?
Empowerment Works supporters are an army of active and committed people who understand the value of community empowerment and regularly take small and big steps to promote and make the case for community empowerment in their areas.
For some people it can be isolating working on your own on empowerment, so we’re using this website to inspire each other and share info on what we are doing.
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