Stronger Communities

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Natalie Webb Stronger Communities Policy Officer
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Where did it come from?

• Building Stronger Communities Project
• March 2007 - March 2008
• Steering group - Community Engagement,
  Empowerment Cohesion Group
• Funded by Dacorum Borough Council and Building
  Capacity East
• One year project with key outcomes
• Guide about community engagement
• Website
• Documentary of case study to share best practice
  for engaging young people
• Event

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Why have we got it?

• Strong and Prosperous Communities White Paper
• Duty to Involve
• National Indicator set (198)
• Comprehensive Area Assessments Audit Commission
  (April 2009)
• Local Area Agreements

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The Guide What is it?
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What does engagement mean?
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How can it help?

• A resource for you and your communities
• To help you to promote participation, involvement
  and engagement
• To explore different ways of engaging people
• To get an insight into the needs of different
  communities
• To understand what is meant by the words
• engagement
• empowerment
• consultation
• To find out new ways of engaging people
• To learn from people who have done it well

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Who can use it?

• Councillors
• Council Officers
• Staff in any organisation
• Voluntary sector
• Community Groups
• Clubs
• Charities
• Individuals
• ANYONE!

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Why bother?

• People who belong to, live in or work in a
  particular community should have the right to
  influence and shape the future of their community
• Community sprit, belonging, pride,
  responsibility, citizenship, ownership
• Complicated agencies and organisations can become
  more accessible and understandable
• Better community cohesion
• By defining issues and debating problems and
  solutions with local people, agencies can target
  resources where they are needed and provide
  solutions that are tailored and responsive to the
  needs of their community
• Sharing information helps to manage expectations
  and builds a sense of honesty and trust
• Better decisions are made with the input of those
  whose lives they affect
• The members of any community are experts in that
  community and can help us to improve the way we
  do things

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Where can I find out more?

• www.hertslink.org/engage

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