Community Connectors Delivered by TH!NK FC
As part of the Leading in Leicester and Leicestershire Programme, we know that the sustainability of the VCSE future, at all levels, is dependent on empowering our City and County communities. Through their knowing, reflection and action new community connectors are developed. It’s been evidenced, especially during covid, that our greatest asset is the energy, strength and wisdom that is contained within our communities – if asked – they know what is needed, are able to unleash new ideas, build relationships easily and create changes on many levels to sustain their own, and the wider community. As a result, we have set up a Community Advisory Forum to support the development of the initial 12-month training and learning programme, building a reflective community to share learning and enable adaption future programmes.
The Community Building Programme is based on the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach. It is being delivered and supported by Think FC and supported to gather the learning by the Reaching People Advisory Board. The programme covers:
The principles of ABCD and community action.
Understanding and using key tools.
Based on The Connected Community book by Cormac Russell and nine key tools supplemented by TH!NK tools.
Space to connect and build relationships with other course participants.
Skills to make connections.
Building a reflective community of practice and support.
Celebrating impact and sharing inspiring stories to motivate others to contribute.
Learning outcomes for individuals and organisations
Understanding of how they can use ABCD approaches.
Improved motivation and confidence to undertake ABCD activities in their local community.
Improved knowledge of and confidence in using a range of tools and techniques to support connecting communities.
Increased connections and improved relationships with each other and respective organisations.
Harnessing passion to build strengths to create new activities and projects.
This programme also forms part of the overall external evaluation by M2 in the Leading in Leicester and Leicestershire program.
This programme is focused on:
Discovering, exploring and connecting conversations.
Mobilising your community
Sharing strengths and skills
Eligibility: Community anchor organisations in Leicester and Leicestershire
Duration: 6 in person sessions, 5 online sessions and monthly learning and reflection gatherings
Cost: Free
What is ABCD?
Watch Cormac Russell’s talk about ABCD and The Connected Community from our Leading in Leicester and Leicestershire Event on 8th December 2022. These are the ideas that will be explored on Community Connectors Programme.
This years' programme at a glance
Each workshop is designed to include time to build relationships and flexibility to explore items of interest in more depth.
Please note that there will be interim tasks between sessions with the guidance of tutors.
There will be a What’s App group for support and connecting in between sessions. All sessions are on a Thursday.
|
Date |
Time |
Topic |
Meeting type |
Venue |
|
2nd March |
10 am-1pm |
Where is your place – An introduction to ABCD |
In person |
Coalville CAN |
|
9th March |
10 am-1pm |
Discover your community – shifting mindsets |
In person |
The Grove, Braunstone |
|
16th March |
10 am-1pm |
Introducing connectors and community leadership – including active listening |
In person |
Coalville CAN |
|
23rd March |
10 am-1pm |
Finding connectors – including reflective practice |
In person |
The Grove, Braunstone |
|
30th March |
10 am-1pm |
Holding ‘Discover, Explore and Connect’ conversations |
In person |
Coalville CAN |
|
13th April |
10 am-1pm |
Mobilise – taking action person to person |
In person |
The Grove, Braunstone |
|
13th April |
1-3pm |
Lunch and celebration |
In person |
The Grove, Braunstone |
|
20th April |
10am- 12pm |
Reflections & tool sharing; Introduction to generating ideas and setting goals |
Online |
|
|
4th May |
10am- 12pm |
Reflections & tool sharing; Introduction to problem solving |
Online |
|
|
18th May |
10am- 12pm |
Reflections & tool sharing; Introduction to managing conflict |
Online |
|
|
1st June |
10am- 12pm |
Reflections & tool sharing for wellbeing |
Online |
|
|
15th June |
10am- 12pm |
Reflections on putting it all into practice |
Online |
|
|
3rd July |
TBC |
Summer festivals in the County -Timber |
In person |
|
|
August |
TBD |
Summer event and festivals in the City |
In person |
|
|
7th September |
10-1pm |
Associations and Institutions |
In person |
|
In addition to the following dates, there may be further in person sessions as a result of thinking developed during the first part of the programme.
|
21st September |
3.30 – 5pm |
Monthly Learning & Reflection Gathering |
Online |
|
|
19th October |
3.30 – 5pm |
Monthly Learning & Reflection Gathering |
Online |
|
|
16th November |
3.30 –5pm |
Monthly Learning & Reflection Gathering |
Online |
|
|
23rd November |
10am-1pm |
Reaching People AGM Sharing of Stories |
In person |
|
|
December |
|
Touring exhibition of Stories and exhibition |
|
|
|
From January 2024 |
3.30 – 5pm |
Monthly Learning & Reflection Gathering |
One line |
¼ in person |
Read our Blogs
-
Community Connectors - Helen - December 2023
Getting involved with the Coalville C.A.N crew (volunteering), I found myself put forward to join a Connecting Communities Course and was immersed into the world of Asset Based Community Development (March – Nov’23). -
Community Connectors- LCFC - Dawn June 6th
I started off doing community development with B-active and Fit-active Braunstone- a 1:1 programme of health and fitness where you did everything with them. -
Community Connectors - Coalville CAN
For me, the programme was a great way to reflect and look at the ways I already work in my local community.