A study found that learning and skills development within small community groups had little to do with formal training, and more to do with learning from similar groups and social networks.
Source: Angus McCabe and Jenny Phillimore, Seeing and Doing: Learning, resources and social networks below the radar, Working Paper 91, Third Sector Research Centre
Links: Paper | Summary | TSRC press release
Date: 2012-Dec
An article examined how governments had approached the challenge of improving community relations. It considered the extent to which community cohesion and anti-social behaviour policies demonstrated a coherent conception of the problem of community relations. Policies to promote social interaction were not necessarily aimed at achieving social harmony through meaningful interaction based on recognition of equal group status; and they were based on little in the way of evidence and prior knowledge.
Source: Jon Bannister and Anthony O'Sullivan, 'Civility, community cohesion and antisocial behaviour: policy and social harmony', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 42 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Dec
A report examined how housing associations could empower tenants to help their communities. Proper training could give tenants the skills and confidence to (for example) collect their neighbours' views through simple surveys; give basic advice on welfare reform; plug gaps in elderly needs; encourage energy saving; and help with childcare.
Source: Anne Power, Eileen Herden, Bert Provan, and Laura Lane, Bigger than Business: Housing associations and community investment in an age of austerity, Orbit Group Ltd/London School of Economics
Links: Report part 1 | Report part 2 | Report part 3 | Summary | Orbit press release
Date: 2012-Nov
An article examined community development approaches to addressing mental distress and promoting mental well-being.
Source: Angus McCabe and Ann Davis, 'Community development as mental health promotion: principles, practice and outcomes', Community Development Journal, Volume 47 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Sep
A report reviewed the evidence relating to meaningful interaction – focusing on successful approaches to promoting it, and its benefits for individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities. Meaningful interaction did help to build greater understanding and trust between people of different backgrounds. Where there was greater understanding and trust, prejudice and levels of discrimination were reduced, and a range of other, more 'concrete' benefits flowed from that: lower levels of hate crime; greater equality of opportunity in social and economic life; and lower levels of resentment at 'others' and thus higher levels of satisfaction.
Source: OPM, The Benefits of Meaningful Interaction: Rapid evidence assessment of existing literature, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report
Notes: Publication of this report was delayed by the coalition government.
Date: 2012-Apr
An article examined the 'limited conceptual focus' of community development activity. It said that community development workers needed to equip themselves with a broader theoretical understanding of the world, using ideas drawn from 'theories of everyday life'.
Source: Rod Purcell, 'Community development and everyday life', Community Development Journal, Volume 47 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Apr
An article examined the relationship between state and community over the previous 40 years; and considered the prospects, under a radically new government regime, for delivering the new, more autonomous forms of community action that had been promised under the rubric of the 'Big Society'.
Source: Marilyn Taylor, 'The changing fortunes of community', Voluntary Sector Review, Volume 3 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Mar
A report set out a plan aimed at promoting a 'radical transformation' in the availability of community finance.
Source: JUST Finance: Capitalising communities, strengthening local economies – A new vision for community finance, Community Development Finance Association
Date: 2012-Feb
The coalition government published a strategy for enabling and encouraging integration in communities throughout England. It said that the strategy was based on five key factors:
• Common ground – shared aspirations and values, and a focus on what people had in common rather than on difference.
• Responsibility – promoting a strong sense of mutual commitment and obligation.
• Social mobility – people being able to realize their potential to get on in life.
• Participation and empowerment – people having the opportunities to take part and take decisions in local and national life.
• Challenge to intolerance and extremism – a robust response to threats that deepened division and increased tensions.
Source: Creating the Conditions for Integration, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Strategy | Hansard | DCLG press release | EHRC press release | Labour Party press release | MRN press release | Runnymede Trust press release
Date: 2012-Feb