Promoting Social Inclusion by Enabling Individuals and Developing Communities
[ Ujima (BME Communities Project) ] [ My Neighbourhood ] [ Flying Start ] [ Homelessness Collaboration ] [ Funding Advice and Support to Groups ] The [ CARD ] [ PORCH ] Project
What is Supporting Community Development in Exeter (SCDE)?
SCDE is a project of Exeter Community Initiatives that aims to support people in the more disadvantaged areas of Exeter. Through a community development approach [ Community Development Foundation ], a range of practices can be used to enable local people to take greater control over their circumstances, within their communities.
Within the umbrella of SCDE are the [Ujima Project] providing a dedicated worker to support Black and Minority Ethnic Communities and a partnership project [ “My Neighbourhood” ] aimed at giving more power to people at a Neighbourhood level through setting up partnerships to tackle local issues.
Other areas of work include:
Open Hearts Open Minds
There are a number of interlinked factors that cause people to be socially-excluded: for example, unemployment, poverty, poor housing, poor health, low levels of education, etc. These factors can act as barriers to people accessing the opportunities that are available to other people. For staff working with socially-excluded groups, it is important that they have a good understanding of how to support people in breaking down the barriers caused by exclusion.
To support staff and their organisations, ECI commissioned the development of a Social Inclusion Self-Assessment Handbook. This tool was developed by Sam Magne and Angie McTiernan and leads people through exercises to reflect on their own practice and that of their organisation. It is also concerned with helping people to identify the support and development needed to make changes, in order to work more effectively with people in reducing barriers that are created by disadvantage. To download an order form for the Handbook click here [ OHOM Leaflet ].
To support the use of the handbook we have developed a training course. If you would like more information about training, please contact Carole Pilley.
We also commissioned Sam Magne to carry out research into how the Handbook was being used and how it could be further developed to meet people’s current needs. As a result of the research we commissioned the development of an [ Open Hearts Open Minds ] website and e-newsletter through funding from NLDC (Neighbourhood Learning for Deprived Communities). This development was further supported by Devon County Council.
Community Development at a Strategic Level
SCDE is also concerned with promoting and enabling a community development approach at a more strategic level in Exeter. This is being done through:
- Forming networks of groups or organisations to share information about their work and to share examples of good practice.
- Working with partner organisations and promoting Community development and the voluntary sector.
For more information, please contact [ Carole Pilley ] Community Development Manager
