Strengthening Communities
Poverty and exclusion are still firmly rooted in many communities. In these areas, people’s expectations are lower, opportunities are fewer, and local services do not always work well. We therefore work closely with local public service providers, the voluntary sector, and residents to help bring about lasting change locally. 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 particular expertise in a number of areas.
Community Engagement
We believe that local 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 involve people and 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 and programmes.
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.
Health and Wellbeing
Despite overall improvements in population health, considerable health inequalities persist; this is putting increasing pressure on the NHS. Our work covers many aspects of health improvement, from gathering evidence, to planning, delivery and evaluation, and spans various health topics, settings and life stages.
The Third Sector and Social Enterprise
The role and contribution of enterprising third sector organisations is increasingly being 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.
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.