Dr. Alison Gilchrist

Key terms and concepts Community Health and well-being Research Participation and empowerment Equality and diversity Collective efficacy Social capital/networks

CD – bottom up approach to social justice and well-being Communities: Identify their own needs and aspirations Take action to exert influence on the decisions which affect their lives Improve the quality of their lives, the communities in which they live, and societies of which they are a part Practitioners: Mobilise local knowledge and expertise Respect community views and priorities Question status quo assumptions Challenge power differentials and inequalities Tackle barriers to participation

CD principles and characteristics Equality Empowerment Participation Collective working Long-term and holistic Dialogue Reflective, experiential and peer learning

Adopting a CD approach Research design and implementation will be community-led Shared problem or aspiration Collective approach Participative decision- making Partnership Co-production of evidence Implications Training and support Time Roles – clarity Inclusion Issues Confidentiality Accountability Ownership Differences analysis, priorities, expectations, etc.

Health related outcomes Collective Empowerment Connectedness Understanding Capacity Evidence base Better services Individual Sense of belonging Skills Knowledge Insights Useful links Better treatment

Your research so far How did you decide on your aims? How were the research questions agreed? How did you use your own and others’ experiences? What roles did you adopt? Did this change? What were the main processes and principles you used? What issues did you encounter?

Key messages from New Horizons report Use a life course approach : people develop and share skills to continue learning and have positive social relationships throughout life. Build strength, safety and resilience: address inequalities and ensure safety and security at all levels Develop sustainable, connected communities: create socially inclusive communities that promote social networks and environmental engagement. Integrate physical and mental health: develop a holistic view of well-being...reduce health-risk behaviour and promote physical activity. Promote purpose and participation : enhance positive well-being: through variety of activities,, relaxation Generate a positive outlook: through creativity and purposeful community activity.

Foresight report on (mental capital and well being) 5 recommendations, including Connect… With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours...Building these connections will support and enrich you every day. Give … Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger...Volunteer your time. Join a community group...Seeing yourself as linked to the wider community...creates connections with the people around you.

What next? What does your evidence suggests? What does this mean in practice? What action planning are you intending? What resources are needed? Who will be involved? How will you encourage inclusive participation and decision-making? What changes are likely and how will you measure impact? (outputs, outcomes, attitudes, etc.)

Current context Recession – rise in unemployment and poverty Public spending cuts Re-structuring and diversification of health services The Big Society – small state model Community empowerment: services, planning and campaigns through voluntary associations and community organising Active citizens: philanthropy, volunteering, self-help, social action and civic engagement Localism: devolution to local authorities and neighbourhood groups Social capital and collective responsibility

Dilemmas and debates Leadership issues and styles Dealing with dissent and diversity Working with volunteers Sustaining involvement and momentum Accountability and transparency Inequalities Power blocs, vested interests Discrimination Health effects over the long term

Conclusions and next steps What have you learnt from research? Does this reflect community experiences? What will happen as a result? Is this what community members want? Will they be involved in decision-making? What next?

Suggested reading Wilkinson and Pickett (2010) Spirit Level; Gilchrist and Taylor (2011) A Short guide to community development Craig et al (2011) The community development reader Goodson and Phillimore (forthcoming) Community Research: From Theory to Method Orme et al (2007) Public health for the 21 st century