asset based community development workshop

HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE DOEXTRAORDINARY THINGS.

Gary Loftus - Head of Community Building

A SHIFT IN FOCUS – START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE & YOU’LL KNOW WHAT YOU WANT….

Introduction to Asset Based Community Development

Manchester First Choice Homes Oldham

HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TOGETHER

Overview of the Session

• Welcome & Introductions• Forever Manchester – What We Do • What Excites You About Today?• ‘The Single Story’ • The ABCD Approach (Asset Based Community Development)• ‘We Can’ Game• Community Builders Story • Exercise – Gifts• The Neighbourhood Works • No More Throw Away People• Women in Neighbourhoods• The Alternative – I Grew That• Summary• Q&A


Housekeeping • Mobile phones on silent• No Smoking• Fire Alarm• Toilets• Breaks


Any Light Bulb Moments


@4evermcr_thenws#ABCDMCR14


Forever

Manchester


Our Approach

Raising MoneyGoal 1: Raise Endowment Goal 2: Sustain Core FundingGoal 3: Generate Un-restricted Grant Making Knowing and Funding our Communities Goal 4: Identify, Connect and Mobilise Assets andCapacities throughout Greater ManchesterGoal 5: Competently Model Community Building atLocal LevelGoal 6: Contribute to Active Social Change and CommunityWell BeingOrganisational capacityGoal 7: Improve our Business by Strengthening our OrganisationalCapacity


Our Vision

•Discover, Connect and Fund Assets in every Greater Manchester Neighbourhood•Match our resources to residents talents, skills, time and gifts•Build a £50 million Endowment •Measure our impact by the number of residents we engage with in the neighbourhoods


Our Aspirations

Aspiration 1: We will make the name Forever Manchester synonymous with resident ledaction and our approach will be defined as Charity the Mancunian Way

Aspiration 2: We will emphasise the importance of human relationship building overinstitutional rules and programmatic responses to social and economic challenges

Aspiration 3: We will shift the conversation across Greater Manchester from ones thatfocus on problems and scarcity to ones that focus on possibilities and abundance

Aspiration 4: We will focus our unrestricted resources more strategically, toward a setof key results, to realise a vision of vibrant and connected communities

Aspiration 5: We will conduct all our operations with an emphasis on sustainability,ensuring Forever Manchester continues to thrive and serve our communities effectivelyinto the future


Over to you…..

Name

Skill-Interest

What Excites You About Today?


Classic Needs Map

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


What’s Missing?


Is What Exists….


“The Danger of a Single Story”


• Is the ‘danger of a single story’ an issue for you and your work?

• What kind of language does your organisation use to describe the people that you work with?

• How do you portray the communities where you work in your annual reports, funding proposals, reports and needs assessments?

• What implications might language have on the communities where you work?

• What would you have to change to challenge this kind of language?


Break….


Asset Based Community Development A Strength Based Approach to Community Building


“The purpose of ABCD is to help people

remember what they already know”

Professor John McKnight


About Asset Based Community Development?

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute was founded in 1995 after 3 decades of community development research

Founded by Professor John McKnight and Professor Jodi Kretzman at Northwestern University Chicago

ABCD is asset based and relationship driven

ABCD demonstrates focuses on assets in a community

ABCD challenges traditional approaches to solving urban problems


Asset Based Community Development

A Strengths Based Approach is a different way of thinking about how to work for change – starting from a place of possibilities, strengths and capacities as opposed to problems and deficiencies.

A Strengths Based Approach helps residents and organisations manage change by mobilising their existing and potential capacities, resources and assets.


Asset Based Community Building

Six principals of Community Building Start with people’s strengths Start with relationship building Placed based work is vitally important since most

things come together in the neighbourhood Citizen-led action is more durable and sustainable

than professional intervention Social justice is at the heart of every community

building effort When the conversation shifts from ‘isn’t it awful’ to

what’s possible? Real community building begins


What

might be

possible if

people focusedtheir attentionon….

rather than problems

more than weaknesses

What can be done instead of what can’t be done


Is The Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

Individuals & Communities also have skills and talents

Individuals & Communities have deficiencies & needs


Needs to Strengths

Transaction Why not also have a model that…Transforms

Focus on Deficiencies Focus on Assets

Problem Response Identify Opportunities

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


Our Traditional Grant Making Approach

Tell us what’s wrong not what’s strong in your community….

Find It, Fund it & Fix it….


Strength Based Approach

Residents in the Driving Seat


Leaders, Connectors & Gift Givers

Leaders – Those that will lead the process long after you are gone. They are passionate about opening doors in their community and are aware of the strengths as well as the challenges within their community

Connectors – Those that easily connect with large numbers of their neighbours, they are serial relationship builders and seem to know everyone. On average a connector will know 50 people by name in their community.

Gift Givers – Those who want to contribute a particular skill, gift or knowledge set to the community building effort, but not well connected themselves, or may not see themselves in a leadership role.


Connector Profile


Community = Association


Community = Physical Assets


Community = Institutional Assets

SchoolsCollegesLibraries Hospitals UniversitiesLocal AuthorityFoundations


Community = Local Economic Exchange


Community = Stories


Paul FisherRadio PresenterResident of Alt

http://www.heroesproject.org.uk/http://www.ldok.net/

LDOKOldham College


Paul & Helen Presenting on Oldham Community Radio


Neighbourhood Asset Map

Physical Space

Local Economy

StoriesInstitutions

Associations

Individuals

My Community

InstitutionsSchools

Universities Community CollegesPolice Departments

HospitalsLibraries

Social Service AgenciesNot for Profits

MuseumsFire Brigades

MediaFoundations

IndividualsGifts, Skills, Knowledge,

and traits of:Youth

Older AdultsArtists

Welfare RecipientsPeople with disabilities

StudentsParents

EntrepreneursActivistsVeterans

Ex-offenders

Local EconomyFor-profit business

Consumer ExpenditureMerchants

Chamber of CommerceBusiness Associations

BanksCredit UnionsFoundations

Institutional - purchasing power and personnel Barter and Exchange

Micro-BusinessCorporations and Branches

Physical SpaceGardens

ParksPlaygroundsBike Paths

Walking PathsForest/forest Preserves

Picnic AreasCampsites

Fishing SpotsDuck Ponds

ZoosWildlife Centre

Natural HabitatsHousing

Vacant Land & BuildingsStreets

Associations

Animal Care Groups

Anti-Crime Groups

Business Organisations

Charitable Groups

Cultural groups

Disability Groups

Education Groups Elderly Groups Environmental Groups Family Support Groups Health Advocacy Heritage Groups Hobby Groups

Interest Groups

Men’s Groups

Mentoring Groups

Neighbourhood Groups

Political Organisations

Recreation Groups

Religious Groups

Service Clubs

Social Groups

Women’s Groups

Youth Groups

Stories From Manchester

Alt Community Challenge Team

Lostock Men’s Shed

Cool 2 B Kind

Great Lever Idea Works

Lostock Allotment

The ALTernative News

Cash 4 Graft

From Needs to Strengths


Asset Role Call in Lostock (Trafford)

I just wanted to share some of the amazing gifts of the people of Lostock that we have already

discovered. It is a long and interesting list and doesn’t include everything, remember this list has

beengathered in just under 4 Months, so here goes we’ve got:

Gardeners, Cleaners, Bee Keepers, Bakers, Skaters, Jewelers Makers, Carpenters, Builders,Knitters, Radio Entrepreneurs, Fishermen, Chefs, Teachers, Card Makers, Jam Makers, WineMakers, Recyclers, Quiz Masters, Veg Growers, Plumbers, Zumba Instructors, Shop Keepers,Party Organisers, Bike Riders, Child Minders, Computer Wizards, Cartoonists, Graffiti Artists,Dancers, Actors, Talkers, Dog Walkers, Spiritual Leaders, Healthy Eaters, Readers, Roofers,Hairdressers, Make Up Artists, Singers, Comedians, DJ’s, Support Workers, Carer’s, BMXer’s,Footballers, Campers, Out Doors Explorers, Mountain Climbers, Hikers and Bikers…..

What happens next with this information is up to the Residents to decide, the list is growing

every day and people are beginning to gather around ideas which utilise the skills they have

that they can share with other people in engaging, practical and imaginative ways. Thepossibilities seem endless as does the list of assets waiting to be found.

James Hampson - Asset Based Community Builder


"If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got”.

W.L Bateman


The ‘Good Life’ Can Be Found in Every

Neighbourhood

Skills

Gifts

Assets

Care


WHAT does this picture SAY to you about COMMUNITY?


Responses from Picture Survey

“Working together”, “Overcoming difficult situations”, “Many can achieve more than theindividual”, “People get more done together if working to the same goal”, “Do stuff ratherthan talk it down”, “Ignore naysayers”, “Actions speak louder than words” “Resilient”,Paving the way”, “Local resources”, “Recycling”, “No outside expert required to find thesolution” “If you have the same care in wanting to achieve a particular goal and are

happyto play your part, brining different strengths together, the impossible can be achieved”“Stay strong, stand strong”! “The only thing worse than those who give up and don’t try are those who do nothing”

“This picture reminds me of the work going on in Alt, it should read the person who says itcannot be done should look at Alt and the people who are doing it”! “It also reminds me ofteamwork and what can be achieved”!

“I think its fantastic, full of symbolism. Any group or community cannot fail to beInspired by ants, their ability to be so physically small yet solve huge and complexIssues”. ”We may not appreciate the damage they can wreak on crops and buildings,But their ability to battle the odds and win is clear in the picture”. ”Simple and powerfultoo”.


Assets

Community assets include:• The skills of local residents• The power of local associations • The resources of public, private and not for profit

organisations• The physical and local resources of local places• The stories of our lives and evolving community


In Summary ABCD is about

• Starting With What You Have• Mobilising Assets

• Gifts• Skills• Talents of local people…….

• Connecting Assets• Individuals• Associations• Institutions

• Creating Local Economic Opportunities • Connecting Individuals and Associations • Starts From A Place Of Possibility Rather Than ‘Needs’

Focused • From Client to Citizen


Asset Based Community Development Methodology

Discovering Strengths

Organising & Mapping

Linking & Mobilising

Community led

Initiatives

Sustaining the Process


Exercise


We Can Game


Gary LoftusCommunity Builder


Discovering Talents


Goole Street Residents


Design Concept Green Streets in East Manchester


Design Concept


Green Streets in East Manchester


Britain in Bloom


Appreciative Inquiry

Can you tell us about a time when you came together

with neighbours to do something positive in your

neighbourhood?


Exercise: What Are Your Gifts?

• Gifts of the Head • Things I know something

about and would enjoy talking about with others

• Gifts of the Heart• Things I am passionate

about

• Gifts of the Hands• Things or skills I know how

to do and could potentially share with others


Lunch


NEIGHBOURHOOD


1. What does a disconnected neighbourhood look like?

2. How do you start to connect it?

3. What does a thriving neighbourhood look like?


The Neighbourhood Works

• Community Building• 2 Community Builders • 2 Community Building Support Workers

• Cool 2B Kind• Themed Award/Gift Initiatives – Call’s for Action,

Competitions and Sponsorship • Match Awards • The Idea Works • Connectors Clubs• Training Programme


Pathfinder:

• Pilot delivered to 1,600 year six pupils in Trafford• Identified 2 pathfinder schools in Greater Manchester

• Alt Primary School – Oldham • Stoneleigh Primary School – Oldham

• Introducing ‘Kindness’ in to the school curriculum • Stages:

• 1 Dream, 2 Build, 3 Celebrate • Asset Mapping • Laughter workshops• Cool 2B Kind Poem• Cool 2B Kind Awards • Fundraising for Forever Manchester • Forever Manchester Festival • Neighbourhood Vision


MAPPING THROUGH Y’ED


May 2012


February 2014


Lostock Idea Works


PLACE BASED ASSET MAPPING


THE IDEA WORKS

Why have a meeting when you

can have a PARTY?


Matched Funds

Cash 4 Graft• Awards from £50 to £250 • Matching Volunteer time, gifts and skills to a fiscal

match• Volunteer time valued at £10 per hour• Informal groups • Formal groups with new ideas that attract more

people from the neighbourhood • Advance Payment Solutions – Pre-paid Card

• 1st Community Foundation to use this method


What is the return on investment?

•Social return on investment• Match assets, skills and time to fiscal awards • £1 Fiscal Investment matched to £1 Assets + £1 Time = £3

minimum 1:2 return

•Forever Manchester believes the approach will be attractive to:

• The Philanthropist • The Mass Affluent • Local Authorities• Social Landlords • Small donations – The Obama Strategy • Public Health


The Leaky Bucket C

AS

H4G

RA

FT


All Natural Health

“I’m very well thank you this group is keeping me out of mischief”.

“We’re getting lots more jobs as we are mobile”.

“You won’t believe it but we still haven’t used all the money from Cash4 Graft, even after buying equipment , we are managing to self sustain and also offering one-2one sessions”.Sheila Vora

£250 = PRICELESS!


Lostock Community Orchard & Garden

Discovering Local Hidden Treasures


Laffs & Crafts


Lyndsey Ashworth

Community Building Support Worker

Forever Manchester’s Community building Team

Appointed May 2013


Alison Hills StoryOff the train tracks on to the right tracks

The boring bit24 years of depression is enough for anyone to put up with. A load of different types of medication, therapy, and everyone sticking their nose in!! A new diagnosis of Cyclothymia 4 years ago made me realise I wasn't mental, I was just ill. For a while it beat me, to the point of constant thoughts of suicide. Hence the "off the train tracks" in the title.


Kids Café Lostock


LOSTOCK FAMILY TIME FUN CLUB


Alison Hill

Community Building Support Worker

Forever Manchester’s Community Building Team

Appointed September 2013


Message to Alison Hill

“I have to thank you and James both for the first step in

getting my life back – it was a major boost”

Cash4Graft recipient


What is the value of connections?


Key Outcomes

HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TOGETHERNo More Throw Away People


What are you going to stop doing?


What are you going to start doing?


What are you going to do on Monday morning?


• Bullying People• Egging Houses• Spraying Walls• Smashing Windows• Respecting the Neighbourhood• Show respect to the Community• Getting involved in Community

Events• Coach a Young Football team

• Clean the Wall of the Arc Community Centre

• Design and paint a mural around inclusion on the Arc Community Centre

• Alt JFC to apply for Cash4Graft award

• Alt JFC secured £250 Cash4Graft for new football kit


• An exciting and innovative initiative from Forever

Manchester’s Community Building Team. • Recognises women as Community Builders who

play a key role to bring about change in their neighbourhoods

• Is the first specific training of it’s kind in the UK • 3-5 Days Community Building Training.


Karen Woods


1st WiN Network Launched in Great Lever


WIN Inspirational Women Book


NOT FORGETTING THE MEN


Men Sheds Australia• Started in Australia • Over 500 Sheds• Now Part of the Infrastructure that

supports programmes to improve men’s health

• Social activity, utilising skills and knowledge

Lostock Men’s Shed• Established 2012 with Fair Share

Trust Funds £12K • George retired business man • Connected more than 25

retired/semi retired men in Lostock

• Utilising classroom at Lostock College


Stories Are Our Currency………….


ACCT – Alt Community Challenge Team

Resident Led Association

between:•Residents of Alt Estate•Forever Manchester•First Choice Homes •Oldham Council•Alt Primary School


What’s the ALTernative?


ACCT Alters People

“As an officer, if you wanted anything doing on an estate you had to do it for the community and handholdíng them through the entire process”!

“I felt that this old method had left the people of Alt amongst other estates with the expectation that people would always come in and fix stuff for them”.

“The strength based approach has completely turned my old ethos on its head it’s left me completely blown away by this new style of

working”.

“You can only hold a child’s hand for so long, there comes a point where you have to let go and let them walk for themselves”.

Forever Manchester has made her look at the way she works and given her the opportunity to meet more people on the estate who Lisa admits “would never have given me the time of day without this project”!


THE ALTernative

• Hypernews Website• Community House • Jam and Preserve Club • Coffee mornings• Pottery Classes • Knit & Natter • Green Route to School

• £45K Budget• 95 fruit trees• 300 fruit bushes• 10,000 bulbs

• Community Café • Sewing Club • Laughter Workshops


Crucial Conversations

Forget Consultation - Hold ‘Crucial Conversations’!


ACCT, FM Community Builder, FCHO CEO & Oldham’s Director of Public Health - May 2013


ALTogether Now Radio Show


Denise’s Chippy


Sholver Allotment Society


Film & Discussion


Summing Up….


"If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got”.

Hard2Reach

Thought I’d found the perfect

solution….AGAIN!


And by doing so perhaps we attract.....


Who’s ‘call’ is it anyway?

Where would we be without ‘The Usual Suspects’?


Who’s ‘call’ is it anyway?

Build On The Usual Suspects Assets


Who you gonna call?

Ermmm ‘ello


Shift our focus from what’s wrong to what’s strong


Create Space for Possibilities and Opportunities will emerge…..

HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TOGETHERBecome a Skilled at Spotting ‘The Light Bulb’ Moments


Why have a meeting when you can have a party?


What is the value of connections?

HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS TOGETHERMOMENTMOMENT

SS


Questions & Answers

asset based community development workshop

Government & Nonprofit