Creating Changes
Strengthening the Community Development skills of workers who support Small Community Groups and Networks
This is a Big Lotteries funded project set up by the Federation for Community Development Learning (FCDL). The project runs from October 2009 until March 2013.
The project is entering its third year and offers an opportunity for a wide range of Small Community Groups and Networks and Voluntary Sector Infrastructure Organisations to develop their skills, knowledge and their working practice of Community Development, reflecting the National Occupational Standards (CDNOS) that are underpinned by key values.
*There are links throughout this page to the downloadable Tools that were developed and used in the Creating Changes training - just click on the images*
Creating Changes offers free training that is based on a needs assessment survey and workshops. The survey was carried out by FCDL and NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Associations). FCDL ran four successful workshops in four different regions across England. The project recently revisited a needs assessment by running a workshop at a conference held in Bath, which included feedback on the courses being delivered and the proposed timetable for its new financial year.
Synopsis of FCDL needs assessment workshops
Valuing Community Development Learning: Conference report, Bath, July 2011
Creating Changes is a project offering free community development training to a wide range of local support and development organisations, so that they can improve their practice in supporting small groups and networks. The training is delivered by experienced trainers who are also experienced practitioners. The courses use a participative approach that involves various tools that course participants can adapt and cascade down to the groups they are supporting. There is an expectation that applicants try to name at least six community groups that they are working with and participate in a tracking process that measures the impact of the training on their practice and allows both FCDL and participants to track their learning and professional development. It involves a tracking form being sent to all learners that is completed and returned. There is also an opportunity to take part in Practice Learning workshops to explore the themes mentioned.
Please help us to ensure that our Creating Changes courses meet the needs of small voluntary and community groups: complete our short questionnaire before 5 June 2012.
More information on Creating Changes training
Menu of FREE Creating Changes training courses
FREE Creating Changes training events calendar
Demonstration projects
The Creating Changes project is working with three demonstration projects drawn from hard to reach small community groups and networks that are not accessing support from any services. The demonstration projects receive some developmental support and can access the learning programmes, as well as being part of a long-term monitoring and evaluation process. The demonstration projects are being encouraged to network with each other and will shape their own developmental and learning process, as well as playing a key role in planning an international conference that will take place in late 2012 to compare and learn from other international organisations how they do similar work.
The groups we are working with are:
- Eustace (Eustace Crescent Community Association)
- WOMEG (Faiths in Action Nottingham)
- OSCAR (Osmaston Community Association of Residents)
More information on Demonstration projects
International Conference
Creating Changes will bring together different international stakeholders to share experiences and knowledge around Community Development learning and practice. The conference will take place in 2012.
Resources
Creating Changes will introduce participatory tools through all aspects of the project. Some of these will be developed as part of the training and others will build on existing good practice training materials and tools. Part of the project involves reviewing training materials and resources to gauge their appropriateness as learning tools as well as the development of new ones.
Contribute to mapping of existing resources
Contact
Suki Shergill: Project Development Officer (Creating Changes) Direct Tel: 0114 2536774 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Images: hinnamsaisuy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net, digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
