Empowering Communities: Empowering Communities Launched

Download a Word doc list of current consortium members

Empowering Communities is aimed at getting more people in the South West involved and influencing the decisions that affect their lives and local communities.  The initiative is looking to increase the number of people, particularly in disadvantaged areas, who participate in public issues, press for and contribute to the improvement of public services, and help to shape the future of where they live.  For more background on the initiative, nationally and locally, download this Word document.

Sixty people from across the region attended the launch event at Genesis, Taunton on 5 October.  Keynote speaker Helen Marsh of the Department of Communities and Local Government outlined the purpose and objectives for the National Empowerment Partnership.  Download her PDF presentation.

Members of the research team which has just been commissioned to carry out the first stage of Empowering Communities' work in the region briefed the meeting on their plans to gather information, make case studies of best practice and support and build empowerment and engagement activity in the South West.  Download their PDF presentation.

The researchers are keen to hear from people who are involved in empowerment and engagement activity in the region.  Download a PDF - learn how to help them, and add to a database of relevant people and activity.

Di Robinson, Neighbourhood Manager of Community Counts, Gloucester, shared her perspective on the challenges of effective, evidenced community engagement - download her PDF presentation.

Chair of the event, Dominic Murphy (Executive Director of Creating Excellence) said: "It was clear from the discussion which followed the presentations, and the networking which continued over lunch, that there are many people with a high level of knowledge and skills on engagement and empowerment in the region. 

"Our plan is that Empowering Communities will add their expertise to the building national picture, and enable them to share what they know works, and how it benefits communities, with others who need to know more about this work in the South West."

For more background papers on engagement and empowerment see here, and contact John Skrine at Creating Excellence for more information about the initiative.

John.skrine@creatingexcellence.org.uk

01823 250805

or 07814 387090.