1. “Building on what is strong, not what is wrong”
Prudhoe Community Partnership Annual General Meeting
17th July 2018
Emma Richardson
Senior Manager, Poverty Lead

2. Community?
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
The people of a district or country considered collectively, especially in the context of social values and responsibilities; society.
The condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common.

3. Asset? A useful or valuable thing or person.
benefit, advantage, blessing, good point, strong point, strength, forte, talent, gift, strong suit, long suit, virtue, recommendation, attraction, attractive feature, selling point, resource, beauty, boon, value, merit, bonus, aid, help;
saving grace, redeeming feature, compensating feature...

4. What is Community Asset Based Development?
ABCD is a methodology for the sustainable development of communities based on their strengths and potentials. It involves assessing the resources, skills, and experience available in a community; organising the community around issues that move its members into action; and then determining and taking appropriate action.
This method uses the community's own assets and resources as the basis for development; it empowers the people of the community by encouraging them to utilise what they already possess.
*Building Communities from the Inside Out, Kretzmann, J.P. and McKnight, J.L. 1993
After defininition - before we unpick this further: next slide

5. Consider traditional mapping Town A:
How does this feel? Local voices asking for support what are their messages?

6. ABCD maps what we have, rather than what we lack.
Asset based - throughout.
Locally focused - local definitions, investment and control.
Relationship driven - like any relationship, this needs work!
Throughout - what are the assets, what do they do, can we continue to develop them

7. Asset based approach to mapping Town A

8. Assets - 3 broad areas Individuals - talents, skills, and capacities
Citizens’ Associations - so often overlooked, yet rich in Northumberland!
Local Institutions - the more formal structures
Particularly valuable when engaging marginalised communities and individuals
Institutions - parks, health, NCC, school, police, business

9. Every individual has needs and deficiencies…
...Every individual has talents and capacities

10. Releasing capacity of individuals:
In the community, in a way that works, gather the information!
Bite size: by age, by interest, by street….
Go to where people are.
Identify influencers and build relationships.
Skills audit?
Creative types?
Volunteering? Dialogue not a survey
Digital skill?
Bakers?

11. Ongoing dialogue, not a survey!
Curious and appreciative
Reflects assets back and forms connections
Invests in connections and development

12. Groups and associations are usually experienced in identifying an opportunity, developing an idea and bringing that idea to fruition!

13. Releasing capacity of Groups and Associations:
Often information is well known
Map by theme of group - eg culture, family, activity
Don’t assume - Check!
Connectable assets?
Skills and expertise
Space and facilities
Equipment
Partnership/economic value
Use trusted sources eg local paper but also a residents sample to call etc

14. Local institution mapping needs more than the bare bones - as they are often a collection of assets by their very nature.
Inclusive growth / tech / planning / health initiatives / affordable housing

15. Mapping institutions and the assets.
Spaces and places
Facilities and equipment
Purchasing power
Employability
Training
Young people

16. Basic mapping example:

17. All the while…. Mapping and making the connections:
Who are potential partners? (not yet connected)
Where can partnerships be strengthened?
1-1 relationships and outputs

18. Example: Young people in our town
We know they have much to contribute and gain
We want to build mutually beneficial relationships
(some)Young people assets:
Time,
Creativity,
Connection to place,
Big dreams,
Relationships,
Credibility as role models,
Energy!

19. Potential partners: Young people Public Institutions Individuals
Private sector
Associations

20. Strengthening partnerships
Schools
Community learning, YP create walking tour, restore local landmark
Young people
Address local issue, eg energy drinks campaign, present with other youth groups
Young people
Associations
Support consultation, young people go on to host a forum informing residents of opportunities in community.
Local business
Offer training, material and experience - skills into future workforce

21. 1-1 relationships - connections, actions and outputs
Eg 1:
Young people are made part of decision making in commission of services.
Young people can advise and shape priority of services - improving ownership and effectiveness.
Eg 2:
Local association develops energy drink awareness campaign with young people, supported by local media
Young people offer peer-peer prevention, local media profile increases

22. In summary: Map assets - including those of strangers.
Build relationships and connections.
Mobilise assets and share information.
Communicate the vision (and the plan!).
Develop inside capacity first, to be ready to access and use outside resource.

23. Emma Richardson
Senior Manager, Specialist Services - Poverty Lead