Strengthening Communities
Poverty and exclusion are still firmly rooted in many communities. We work closely with public service providers, the voluntary sector, and local residents to help bring about lasting change in these areas. We use our expertise to clarify community needs, to develop creative solutions, and to help understand the difference that projects and programmes are making.
Although our work tends to be as broad and diverse as communities themselves, we have specific expertise in a number of areas.
Community Capacity Building
We believe that residents and groups are often best placed to develop and take forward solutions to their communities needs. We combine years of experience in working with communities with inclusive techniques, to build local capacity to bring about change.
Community Planning
We understand that joined-up solutions are critical. We can work with strategic partnerships at the local authority level to: help reshape public services to reflect local needs; join-up programmes, services, and targets; realign mainstream budgets; and form deliverable Outcome Agreements.
Neighbourhood Renewal and Management
We know that some neighbourhoods need targeted attention. We use our expertise to help identify needs in the most deprived areas, form neighbourhood renewal priorities and plans, ensure that services are working together on the ground, and evaluate targeted projects/programmes.
Building Community Assets
It is vital to focus on the opportunities that are open to communities; not just their problems and needs. We work with communities and community anchor organisations (e.g. Development Trusts) to make the most of important local assets such as land and buildings.
The Social Economy and Social Enterprise
The role and contribution of the social economy is being increasingly acknowledged. We are at the forefront of a new movement to help realise the full potential of community-led projects, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises.
The Wider Role of Housing Associations
Increasingly social housing providers are being encouraged to play a wider role in the regeneration of their communities. We bring together expert teams that work with housing associations to develop their regeneration plans, skills, partnerships, and projects.
Inclusion and Equalities
We recognise that major inequalities exist between the least advantaged groups and the rest of society. We bring experience in creating opportunities for children and young people, people with disabilities, black and minority ethnic groups, and other groups experiencing disadvantage.
Examples of our recent work in this area can be found here. To find out more please contact Jonathan Coburn or call 0141 353 1994.
In addition to our in-house communities team led by Jonathan Coburn, we regularly work with a range of associates to bring in-depth expertise in specific thematic areas.
Further details of our associates can be found here.