Creating Changes

Strengthening the Community Development skills of workers who support small community groups and networks

This Big Lotteries funded project was set up by the Federation for Community Development Learning and ran from October 2009 until June 2013.  

The project offered 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.

Further Information: click here for an update on Creating Changes (May 2012)

Needs analysis

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. In July 2011, the project 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.

Training

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.

Training - Further Information

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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 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)
• OSCAR (Osmaston Community Association of Residents)

More information on Demonstration projects

FCDL AGM and Conference

Celebrating and Reclaiming Community Development Learning and Practice: in an age of ‘austerity for some’ and increasing inequality for all

At this event, Creating Changes brought together different international stakeholders to share experiences and knowledge around Community Development learning and practice. The conference took place on 21 - 22 November 2012 in Derbyshire. Click here for more details.

Resources

Creating Changes has introduced participatory tools through all aspects of the project. Some of these have been developed as part of the training and others have built 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.

View current training tools                                

Contribute to mapping of existing resources