Community Development Practice Hub

Do you or your organisation ‘work with’ people in Birmingham so they can take collective action to make changes to things that are important to them and their communities? You may be in a paid or volunteering role e.g. Community Enabler, Connector, Helper, Builder, Guide, Networker, Liaison or Development Worker.

The Community Development Practice Hub aims to connect, inspire and upskill community development practitioners across Birmingham. Come join us on this exciting journey. We offer a tailored approach with a focus on Birmingham-specific learning, challenges, and achievements.

The hub will offer an initial six-month programme of peer learning, talks, training and networking opportunities.

If you or anyone in your organisation, would you like to discuss the Community Development Practice Hub and ways to participate or contribute, please contact David Coffin [email protected]

A flavour of our programme is below:

Launch
3rd September, 2-3pm
Online
FREE

Learn more about our pilot programme and how you can get involved. Speaker Cormac Russell will share his considerable experiences of Asset Based Community Development and what happens when we shift our focus from what’s wrong to what’s strong. Carol Hebden and Jo Bagby will discuss research undertaken into community development practice locally and its key findings.

Book your free place here

Workshops

Community Development Group
Dates: 6th October, 17th November, 15th December ‘21 and 12th January, 9th February ‘22, 9 Mar '22 (1-2.30pm)
Online
Cost £49 inclusive

This is an opportunity for anyone involved in community development across Birmingham to get together to share practice, work through challenges and build the relationships that enable us to get the job done when the system just isn’t enough.

Book here

Managing People Delivering Work in an Asset-Based Way
Dates: 12th November ’21, 14th January, 11th Feb ‘22 (9.30am-12pm)
Online
Cost £49 inclusive

Three interactive Zoom workshops, for anyone managing front-line community development practitioners, delivering work in an asset-based way.

Book here

Anchor Network Action Learning Workshops
Dates: 5 Nov & Dec 3, 10am-11:30pm
Online
FREE

Join us for this action learning workshop where we will explore working with Anchor Institutions. Anchor institutions are large, usually public sector organisations tethered to their communities, like universities, medical centres, schools or local government entities.

Book here

Training

A six-week training course, exploring community development though themed conversations. Each theme inviting practitioners to reflect on elements of community development to consider, ‘what is strong’. Places released soon.
Skills development workshops and training

Appreciative Inquiry
Dates: 8/9 Dec, 09:30am-12.30pm
Online
Cost £25

Appreciative Inquiry is a strengths-based, positive form of action research that facilitates positive change.

Book Here

Workplace Reflective Practice
Dates: 20/21 Oct, 09:30am-12.30pm
Online
Cost £25

The process of Reflective Practice has many advantages. It helps to develop emotional intelligence, particularly if we reflect on feelings, reactions and behaviours. Finally, reflection is the key to personal and professional development.

Book here

Communication Skills
Dates: 23/24 Nov, 09:30am-12.30pm
Online
Cost £25

This training course will help develop your communication skills and ensure you understand others when they communicate, whilst getting your own message across clearly and in a way that fosters positive relationships.

Book here

PLUS

Digital Meeting Space
A digital space where you can discuss and share information, news and events with other Community Development practitioners in Birmingham. Look out for details in September

Speakers
Talks and workshops relevant to community development practice, including from people working with communities in Birmingham.

Knowledge Bank
An open-access online resource outlining best practices from Birmingham and beyond, with guides, case studies and practical tools.

The Community Development Practice Hub has been developed by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) and is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. It aims to develop creative ways for people to be actively involved in their local communities, to test and learn from new approaches to designing services which aim to make people’s lives healthier and happier.

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