Calling all local residents, activists, community workers, faith groups, organisations, politicians, commissioners - anyone with an interest in building stronger and more connected communities.

Come and join us to explore how, together, we can best be catalysts and facilitators, working alongside communities in ways that are empowering and move away from being (or being perceived to be) the gatekeepers or the people who ‘find it, fund it, fix it’. Over the last two years we have held 8 intro into ABCD workshops previously run in partnership with Nurture Development, this event will be delivered by community development practitioners from Bristol.

Our goal is to support Bristol communities to be more inclusive, confident and powerful communities and we invite anyone who wants the same to join us in considering how best we can work together to do so.

What is Asset Based Community Development?

Social Justice is everyone's business but requires a different way of thinking about the role of individuals, communities, associations and institutions in creating vibrant, prosperous and inclusive communities.

This is quite a challenge and can be a daunting prospect for anyone working towards social justice. We believe that ABCD offers a robust framework for social change, starting with the consideration of the following questions:

1.What is it that communities can do best?

2.What do communities require help with?

3.What do communities need outside agencies to do for them?

Once we are all clearer about the answers to each of these questions, we can make better use of the resources that we all have or have access to and support one another to use them to the benefit of whole communities.

ABCD assumes communities can drive the development process themselves by identifying and mobilising existing but often unrecognised assets but it does require allies – people alongside, helping where needed and in the right way. These principles are not new they are about good Community Development practice. ABCD provides us with a way of thinking about the way we work.

Unfortunately places are limited. If you are unable to book on, please email alex.north@bristol.gov.uk and you will be added to the list for future sessions.