discovering hidden treasures thornton heath the story sofar

ABCD in Thornton Heath

Cormac Russell, Director of ABCD Europe &Faculty member of ABCD Institute

Is the glass is half full or half empty? The answer is ‘Yes’!

‘You can’t know what you need, till you know what you have…’

Discovering hidden Treasures

Thornton HeathDeveloping 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…..

Why have a meeting when you can have a party?

Festival Day in Thornton Heath-Sept 18, 2011

And on the day people were invited to share their gifts….

This is Shirley with her neighbour...Shirley is a neighbourhood connector

They had already knocked on doors, and heard peoples stories like Mr and Mrs Ahmed…..

Paul Macey who is a wonderful Community Builder, and isfacilitating the process on behalf of Croydon Voluntary Action and Croydon NHS sat with Peggy and heard her story….

And Peggy and Mr & Mrs Ahmed were connected

The connectors have experienced the power of connecting people…

And they have been mapping local associations too….

And seeing the huge potential for connecting these assets also….

And the older people will have plenty to teach the kids as well…

Bingo!!!!

And they stayed for the vision….

News flash: the streets of Thornton Heath were filled today with young people (and the young at heart) making fun…and Community

Classic Needs maps

Racial tension/hate crimes High crime rates. Significant fear among older people

High levels of ADHD

Smoking relatedHeart diseaseRespiratory 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 socialbehaviour

Gender inequality

Community Asset Map-Thornton Heath

IndividualsGifts, Skills, Capacities,

Knowledge and Traits of Youth

Older AdultsArtists

People with DisabilitiesStudentsParents

EntrepreneursActivists

InstitutionsSchools

UniversitiesCommunity CollegesPolice Departments

HospitalsLibraries

Social Service Agencies

Non ProfitsMuseums

Fire DepartmentsFoundations

Physical SpaceGardens

ParksPlaygroundsParking Lots

Walking PathsForests/Forest

PreservesPicnic AreasCampsites

Fishing Spots

StoriesOf background and personal history

Of what you like to do and contributeOf existing and ongoing skills and

capacitiesOf successful community development

Of economic growthOf addressing discrimination

Of including those who are marginalizedOf recognizing the value of everyoneOf a time when you or your group felt

appreciated and valuedOf a time the community was at its best

Local EconomyFor-Profit Businesses

Consumer ExpendituresMerchants

Chamber of CommerceBusiness Associations

BanksFoundations

Institutional-Purchasing Power and Personnel

Micro enterprisesLocal Coops

Corporations and Branches

Animal Care GroupsAnti Crime Groups

Residents AssocBusiness Organizations

Charitable GroupsCivic Events Groups

Cultural GroupsEducation Groups

Elderly GroupsEnvironmental Groups

Family Support Groups Health Advocacy and

Fitness Groups

Heritage GroupsHobby and Collectors Groups

Men’s Groups Mentoring Groups

Mutual Support GroupsNeighborhood Improvement

GroupsPolitical Organizations

Recreation GroupsReligious Groups

Service ClubsSocial GroupsUnion Groups

Women’s GroupsYouth Groups

Associations

Physical Space

Local Economy

StoriesInstitutions

Associations

Individuals

My Commun

ity

My Commun

ity

Our Community

Doing work the old way

SBA: processes with ownership

The move is from services to clients

to

supports for citizens

Inclusion

Determinants of Health

• Personal behaviour

• Social Networks

• Economic circumstances

• Environmental conditions

• Access to health care.

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.

Russell, C (2010)

A new policy anyone?Present Policy Why not also have a model that…

Focus on Deficiencies Focus on Assets

Problem Response Opportunity Identification

Charity Orientation Investment Orientation

Grants to Agencies Grants, Loans, Investments, Leverage

More Services Fewer Services

High Emphasis on Agencies Emphasis on Associations

Focus on Individuals Focus on communities/neighbourhoods

Maintenance Development

See People as Clients See People as Citizens and

Co-producers

‘Fix People’ Develop Potential

Programmes are the Answer People are the Answer

Asset-based Community Development Methodology

Discovering Strengths

Organizing & Mapping

Linking andMobilizing

Community Driven Initiatives

Sustaining the Process

Contact & Resources

Cormac Russell, +353 879380998ABCD Institute & Nurture Development

cormac@nurturedevelopment.ie

http://abcdeurope.ning.com/

http://www.abcdinstitute.org/