Strengthening our Sector: Respecting and Celebrating Community Assets

The Collaborative Partnership masterclass on Respecting and Celebrating Community Assets was delivered by Cormac Russell who discussed how we can better harness community assets through a community informed and community led approach. Cormac provided great insight into the factors that can impact the quality of community assets, along with the approaches that may help us put communities and their needs first.

The balance of power that exists between institutions and communities was highlighted as a central component to how effective community assets will be, along with the level of impact they will provide to  communities. Cormac suggested that, as opposed to a systemic focus, it is important that we direct our attention locally to identify the needs of specific communities. By doing so, it may be possible to ensure services that offer the greatest value to communities. ‘Local not industrial solutions’.

Building on this, Cormac discussed how we should stop systemising that that does not need systemising and better systemise that that does, whilst striking a balance between generic quantitative measures and local qualitative measures. This way, it is possible to review and adapt our practice to ensure that they are effective within the current environment.

Another area of focus was the re-framing of how we view communities. Cormac discussed how systemically communities are viewed from a deficit perspective, rather than considering what they do have and do well. This approach further impacts the power balance between communities and institutions, as communities can become disenfranchised and dependant on centralised support. We should move away from ‘consumer assessment’, leverage what is working well and supplement where needed. Support should be done with, not too communities.

The neo-liberal and systemised approach adopted by institutions has contributed to an erosion of community and increased isolation and poverty. We must seek ways of developing a sense of ‘agency’ within communities over what they need and how they achieve it, as further developing our institutions will further reduce community power. In essence, a shift from a ‘prescriptive’ to a ‘proscriptive’ method is required, where solutions are owned by communities.

Cormac highlighted what he referred to as two safety systems:

·       Safety One: A focus on preventing bad things happening.

·       Safety Two: The creation of an environment where good things can happen.  

There needs to be more focus on safety two and a preventative approach to community health.

To conclude, Cormac suggested institutions must support from a far and be ‘on tap, not on top’ to help readdress the power balance that exists between them and communities, and support communities to become empowered agents within community solutions as otherwise ‘the hammer will blunt the saw’.

Find out about future Collaborative Partnership Masterclasses here.