Learning Resource Pack
Our experiences delivering the Making it Happen programme helped us understand how best to support positive change in communities we worked with.
Now we want to share the tools, resources and guidance we’ve gathered with you: to help anyone interested in changing themselves or their community, or driving community-led development.
Click the headings below to find out more about who and how to use the pack. Or scroll down to download – and start putting the tools into action!
Who is this pack for?
This pack of resources has been drawn from our experience of delivering the Making it Happen community development programme. In the pack, we explain the context for how we started, how we worked and what we discovered from our journey. It is designed for anyone who is interested in making positive change for themselves and their community. It will also be valuable to anyone interested in driving or supporting community led development on a number of levels:
Within a person
An individual person who wants to make changes in their life or in how they see themselves.
Between People and People
Individuals who want to change how they interact with other people in their community, and collectives of people who want to change how they connect with and relate to others within communities.
Between people and services
Anyone wanting to change how people and formal services interact, and people wanting to see changes between how community-led groups or collectives and formal services interact.
Between services and services, and beyond
Anyone wanting to see changes in how formal services and the wider system interact with each other and with the community.
How do I use this pack?
Community led development can build on any feature or aspect of a community or place, and it can touch the lives of individuals and collectives of people alike. It also isn’t a linear process – so this isn’t a straightforward handbook! One tool might work brilliantly in one context, but fall completely flat in another. It requires creativity and flexibility, so when you are working with a community or with people in a neighbourhood setting, think about:
- What change or shift do you want to see?
- What does that look and feel like?
- What steps will you need to take to get there?
- Who else could you connect with to make that change?
- How will you connect with them?
- What other support will you need to make the change?
- Which tools, resources or examples would help you to get started, move things forward, or review progress?
The most important piece of learning we can share is to keep listening and learning about what might work in your context. Involve the people you are engaging or working with in thinking about what to try, and leave time to reflect with them on what worked or what could have been done differently.
Accessing the Learning Resource Pack
Here, you can find download links to all sections of the Learning Resource Pack – from starting small to evaluation. Click the individual links to view, and download each section!