This is the story of how Thornton Heath is using ABCD to building a stronger more connected community using people power. This process was commissioned by Croydon NHS, and Croydon Local Government, they commissioned Croydon Voluntary Action and Nurture Development.
The most exciting feature of this work is the citizen-led action that is driving the process. 20 connectors (local residents) have been having hundreds of conversations with their neighbours about what they have locally and how they can use what they have to secure what they need.
5. Thornton Heath Developing an Asset Based Community Development Approach Croydon LA, Croydon NHS and Croydon Voluntary Action are working with Nurture Development to develop the ABCD approach in Thornton Heath, 6 months on, here’s the story so far…..
8. And on the day people were invited to share their gifts….
9. This is Shirley with her neighbour...Shirley is a neighbourhood connector
10. They had already knocked on doors, and heard peoples stories like Mr and Mrs Ahmed…..
11. Paul Macey who is a wonderful Community Builder, and is facilitating the process on behalf of Croydon Voluntary Action and Croydon NHS sat with Peggy and heard her story….
29. News flash: the streets of Thornton Heath were filled today with young people (and the young at heart) making fun…and Community
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31. Classic Needs maps Racial tension/hate crimes High crime rates. Significant fear among older people High levels of ADHD Smoking related Heart disease Respiratory difficulties Obesity across The life course High levels of drug and Alcohol use. High unemployment Poor educational attainment Poor housing/environmental issues High morbidity Anti social behaviour Gender inequality
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34. Community Asset Map-Thornton Heath Individuals Gifts, Skills, Capacities, Knowledge and Traits of Youth Older Adults Artists People with Disabilities Students Parents Entrepreneurs Activists Institutions Schools Universities Community Colleges Police Departments Hospitals Libraries Social Service Agencies Non Profits Museums Fire Departments Foundations Physical Space Gardens Parks Playgrounds Parking Lots Walking Paths Forests/Forest Preserves Picnic Areas Campsites Fishing Spots Stories Of background and personal history Of what you like to do and contribute Of existing and ongoing skills and capacities Of successful community development Of economic growth Of addressing discrimination Of including those who are marginalized Of recognizing the value of everyone Of a time when you or your group felt appreciated and valued Of a time the community was at its best Local Economy For-Profit Businesses Consumer Expenditures Merchants Chamber of Commerce Business Associations Banks Foundations Institutional-Purchasing Power and Personnel Micro enterprises Local Coops Corporations and Branches Animal Care Groups Anti Crime Groups Residents Assoc Business Organizations Charitable Groups Civic Events Groups Cultural Groups Education Groups Elderly Groups Environmental Groups Family Support Groups Health Advocacy and Fitness Groups Heritage Groups Hobby and Collectors Groups Men’s Groups Mentoring Groups Mutual Support Groups Neighborhood Improvement Groups Political Organizations Recreation Groups Religious Groups Service Clubs Social Groups Union Groups Women’s Groups Youth Groups Associations My Community Our Community
37. Person Centered Work The move is from services to clients to supports for citizens Community Centered Work Inclusion
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39. Fundamental Needs Security Autonomy Belonging Competence ? Emotional & Material Agency. Independence. Sense of efficacy in the world. Plus authenticity Community, Family & Friends, as giver & receiver Ability to sustain tasks of choosing, to contribute. Security Belonging Competence Autonomy Russell, C (2010)
40. A new policy anyone? People are the Answer Programmes are the Answer Develop Potential ‘ Fix People’ See People as Citizens and Co-producers See People as Clients Development Maintenance Focus on communities/neighbourhoods Focus on Individuals Emphasis on Associations High Emphasis on Agencies Fewer Services More Services Grants, Loans, Investments, Leverage Grants to Agencies Investment Orientation Charity Orientation Opportunity Identification Problem Response Focus on Assets Focus on Deficiencies Why not also have a model that… Present Policy
41. Asset-based Community Development Methodology Discovering Strengths Organizing & Mapping Linking and Mobilizing Community Driven Initiatives Sustaining the Process
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Hinweis der Redaktion
One that recognises that ‘we can never know what a community needs, until they know for themselves what they have’. We as a Foundation can start a new more empowering trend in how we use our assets to support communities to build real power for change, leaving behind us a legacy of competent, capable citizens working together in a way that includes everyone; instead of clients who depend solely on services and programmes. In this way the vision of Forever Manchester can come alive in every neighbourhood, home and organisation in the city. Imagine a Manchester where we all identify, connect and mobilse our assets towards a shared vision…..Forever Manchester..
And what might strengths based thinking and ABCD have to offer???
The asset based approach starts with a focus on the strengths it recognises the truth that the map is not the territory and that the glass is both half full and half empty at the same time
By doing this we change the old way of working which put us in the driving seat of the transaction.
To a process of grass roots grant making and community building that puts citizens in the led. Of course we want to do this in a way that does not simply give gate keepers more power, and this is why Asset Based Community Development as a process matters so much: it shows us a clear way that everyone can be included and everyone’s voice can be heard.
Lets look more closely at this. Starting with needs. Sometimes when people present ABCD they present it as a polemic between needs and assets. To me that somewhat of a superficial interpretation. ABCD is not suggesting that we ignore needs in preference for assets, but that we take care as to how we understand needs. Most psychologists now agree that there are four fundamental needs. See slide… So ABCD begs the question how do we as helpers address for example security needs in a way that does not harm autonomy, competency and belonging. Can you think of any examples from your own life experience when someone in an honest effort to help inadvertently undermined the need for autonomy, competence or belonging of the person or community they were endeavouring to assist?