When Communities First drew to a close earlier in 2018 in Wales it brought the curtain down on the longest-running programme of its nature in British social policy history.

Dr Sioned Pearce of Cardiff University’s WISERD department joins Russell to share some of the findings of one of her research specialisms, community development and social policy across the devolved administrations of the UK (more information here).

In the podcast Sioned discusses how the state has used community development as a tool to bring about change, including in the case of Wales legitimising devolution itself; how post-devolution state approaches in Wales and England – both under Labour rule – began to diverge following a ‘moment of alignment’ in which policy and ideology were convergent; and explains how ‘pockets of community development resistance’ are emerging in Wales that run counter to an increasing neoliberal tone to social policy in Wales.

In the course of the discussion Communities First emerges as a useful crucible in which to chart crucial aspects of the devolution journey in Wales.

Follow:

Twitter.com/sionedpearce

twitter.com/wiserdnews

https://wiserd.ac.uk/

In this episode I am joined by John Rose, Director of Big Lottery Fund Wales to discuss how Big Lottery Fund Wales places value on community development approaches in applications it receives.

Among other things John explains what ‘community’ means to the Big Lottery and what its strategic vision of ‘putting people in the lead’ means in practice and how community development can facilitate this (www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/about/strategic-framework).

John explains how responsive funding remains key to helping communities achieve their ambitions – and how the Big Lottery Fund is changing its working practices so that increasingly conversations between applicants and the Big Lottery are much more common-place.

John also provides some personal thoughts about the future of funding in Wales and the rest of the UK in light of continued austerity policies and Brexit

Follow:

twitter.com/johnbiglottery

www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/wales

Please support The Community Development Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/TheCDPodcast

In this episode I am joined by Andy Green from Grow Social Capital, and founder of Indycube, Mark Hooper, to discuss social capital and to consider how community development activity can stimulate social capital.

Andy draws on Robert Putnam’s seminal 2000 book 'Bowling Alone' about the decline of social capital in the United States. The book draws its title from how bowling alley attendances in the US, are rising yet bowling alley leagues have dramatically declined. Barry resident Andy suggests a book drawing on a similar metaphor in south Wales could be entitled ‘Skittling No More’ since over the last 20 years half the skittle alleys in Barry have closed.

The featured image accompanying this podcast is of the Early Birds skittles team in Barry featuring Andy’s father-in-law.

Mark considers social capital from a work and workplace perspective. Indycube provides flexible co-working spaces and these environments encourage freelancers to share work spaces, often close to home which can have potentially rich dividends for the time available for people to volunteer locally and involve themselves in community activities.

Follow:

Twitter.com/indycube

Twitter.com/markjhooper

Twitter.com/andygreencr8iv

Twitter.com/growsocialcapit

https://growsocialcapital.org.uk/

In this episode I am joined by Chris Ashman, Director of Regeneration for the Isle of Wight in England. Chris outlines his approach and commitment to involving people and communities in regeneration practice; he calls this ‘place planning’.

They consider the inherent tensions within regeneration and land use planning when communities are empowered to not only contribute to the process and politics, but also to challenge them.

But as Chris argues the place planning approach can help mediate these.

Follow:

twitter.com/ashmanchris

In this episode Leeds-based community development consultant Steve Skinner discusses what he believes constitutes ‘stronger communities’. In the podcast he discusses the building blocks that can make communities stronger, including the need to place equalities at the heart of such activity.

Steve is keen to hear from community development practitioners across the UK and the experience of practice under different jurisdictions and legislation such as the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act in Wales and Scotland’s Community Empowerment Act.

Follow:

http://www.steveskinnerassociates.org.uk/

Please support The Community Development Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/TheCDPodcast

In this episode Russell is joined by Clare Lloyd from the Prisoners’ Education Trust‘s Welsh project; Jamie Grundy, formerly of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Widening Access team and now working freelance as a specialist in community development, prison education & higher education; and Mike Scott, an ex-offender and mentor.

The Prisoners’ Education Trust helps prisoners access distance learning opportunities to help them enhance their chances of building a better life after release.

They discuss the extent to which prisoners constitute a community and can be worked with as such; how prisoners are supported and empowered to shape their learning pathway, both during and after their prison sentence; and Jamie and Clare explain how their partnership work on the Welsh Prisons Pilot Project has specifically sought to expand what this has involved in.

Follow:

www.prisonerseducation.org.uk/

twitter.com/wideningaccess

twitter.com/jamiegrundynet

twitter.com/prisonersed

Please support The Community Development Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/TheCDPodcast

In this episode Russell is joined by:

- Elliott Evans, Community Development Manager for Merthyr Town Football Club

- James Mathie (Head of Club Development for England and Wales) - Tim Hartley (Vice Chair) of Supporters Direct to discuss the ways in which the supporters trust movement is community development.

They discuss how the model of private ownership is consciously rejected for a more cooperative form of ownership; how Merthyr Town has at the heart of its mission to a desire to involve and be accountable to the community in which it is located and serves; the financial value of volunteering to community-owned clubs; and outline the governance arrangements of a Community Benefit Society.

Follow:

https://twitter.com/timhhartley

https://twitter.com/Elliott_Evans2

http://www.supporters-direct.org/

Please support The Community Development Podcast on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/TheCDPodcast

In this episode Dr Jan Huyton talks about how Community Philosophy based on a community of enquiry method – first developed by SAPERE – can potentially bring about transformative change in the lives of people and communities as diverse as prisoners and senior managers.

Jan discusses the influence of Raymond Williams on this approach and the work of the Raymond Williams Foundation and the more scholarly Raymond Williams Society.

Philosophy in Pubs (PiP) has further information about local Community Philosophy groups around the UK and advice on how to set up your own Philosophy in Pubs group. In September 2020 Jan and Russell set up their own PiP in Cardiff: CF14 PiP

This film offers an excellent insight to Community Philosophy: https://youtu.be/XuX5CjMNaCs

Follow:

twitter.com/minniekeats

twitter.com/longrevolution

http://philosophyinpubs.co.uk/

www.raymondwilliamsfoundation.org.uk/

twitter.com/cf14_pip

twitter.com/llannerch

In this episode Russell chats with Gary Brown, project manager of the Brymbo Heritage Project in north east Wales, to discuss how Community Development is at the heart of regeneration work that has recently been awarded almost £2 million of Lottery funding.

Brymbo is the site of a former steelworks that shut in 1990. The heritage group was later set up by former steelworkers but has over the years developed a broader community appeal within and beyond Brymbo.

Gary talks about the importance of seeking out the dissenting voices and “aggressive apathy” that can sometimes be present in communities; the importance of social media to the Project’s community engagement; and how a shared power model underpins how the Project works in partnership with the community and local stakeholders.

Follow:

www.brymboheritage.co.uk/

twitter.com/brymboheritage

In the very first episode of The Community Development Podcast Russell is joined by Alan Twelvetrees, author of the seminal Community Work, first published in 1982, and with a sixth edition due in 2022.

Alan explains his threefold typology of community work, as indicated by the book's new title - Community Development, Social Action and Social Planning - drawing on his experience in the field from as far back as the 1970s when he started as a community worker in Braunstone in Leicester, and then more latterly at Swansea University.

Alan distinguishes between generalist and specialist community work; recalls running a range of campaigns, including some ‘against the state’ and the challenges this can bring when the state is funding community development; and the importance of reflection and learning from one’s mistakes.

Please support The Community Development Podcast on Patreon:

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