Changes

An example of ‘Working in Empowering Ways’

Community Empowerment, as described by changes, can be understood by breaking it down into five distinct but inter-related dimensions. They illustrate that an empowered community is:
• confident
• inclusive
• organised
• cooperative
• influential

Each linked dimension can be interpreted as:
• process (working in ways which are empowering) and
• outcomes (empowered individuals, groups, organisations & communities)
The 5 dimensions make ‘community empowerment’ very practical and identifiable; they describe how the values of community development* can be put into action. SAND is a Shropshire-based initiative looking at the issues impacting on older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans people accessing health & social care services – it has an action group and is taking a community development approach which offers a fantastic example of the changes Community Empowerment Dimensions in action.

SAND stands for Safe Ageing No Discrimination. Below are the 5 Community Empowerment Dimensions, illustrated with stories about SAND practice.

Outcome: Confident communities – This is about putting the community development value around LEARNING into practice: recognising the skills, knowledge and expertise that people contribute and develop by taking action to tackle social, economic, political and environmental problems

Outcome: Inclusive communities – This is about putting the community development value around
EQUALITY into practice: challenging the attitudes of individuals and the practices of institutions which discriminate and marginalise people
To achieve this, we work in ways which recognise that discrimination exists, promote equality of opportunity and good relations between groups, challenging inequality and exclusion
• SAND is all about challenging health and social care discriminatory practices
• SAND is being invited to give presentations to providers and professionals e.g. solicitors for the elderly network, local advice and information advocacy forum
• SAND has created a safe space for people to talk about their own experiences

Outcome: Organised communities – This is about putting the community development value around PARTICIPATION into practice: facilitating democratic involvement by people in the issues which affect their lives, based on full citizenship, autonomy and shared power, skills, knowledge and experience
To achieve this, we work in ways which bring people together around common issues and concerns in organisations and groups that are open, democratic and accountable
• SAND is an open and transparent group and aims to build slowly, developing a structure that works for SAND, rather than imposing a ready-made structure
• SAND values the experiences of all members of the group and is building a sense of real community and solidarity
• An action plan was developed via facilitated discussions

Outcome: Co-operative communities – This is about putting the community development value around

CO-OPERATION into practice: working together to identify and implement action based on mutual respect of diverse cultures and contributions
To achieve this, we work in ways which build positive relationships across groups, identify common messages, develop and maintain links to national bodies and promote partnership working
• SAND is building links with other local and national LGBT networks and initiatives
• SAND is linking with other involved in relevant national research

Outcome: Influential communities – This is about putting the community development value around SOCIAL JUSTICE into practice: enabling people to claim their human rights, meet their needs and have greater control over the decision making process which affect their lives
To achieve this, we work in ways which encourage and equip communities to take part and influence decisions, services and activities
• SAND is currently undertaking participative research funded via HealthWatch to influence health and social care provision locally
• SAND intends to influence the debate around LGBT health and social care
• SAND has high profile named supporters including Sandi Toksvig, Peter Tatchell and Tom Robinson

SAND is in a unique position to gather information and evidence about what is happening to older LGBT people. The only way we can do this is by taking a community development approach, rather than seeing people as individual consumers of care. SAND is working through LGBT networks and contacts to connect with people and communities who are often hidden and marginalised (for very good reason). The aim is to facilitate safe spaces for people to define the issues that impact on them and develop collective solutions that are meaningful. SAND also wants to build social capital and develop supportive local community based solutions, as well as holding services to account.

Something to illustate how important this approach is – in the whole of Shropshire out of at least 4000 LGBT older people over the age of 65 – SAND knows of only ONE person in a care home setting……who hasn’t come out to her carers! Where are the rest? Their needs are clearly not being met. For more information go to http://lgbtsand.wordpress.com

*changes acknowledges that people express the values of community development in different ways. This interpretation is drawn from the Strategic Framework for Community Development, CDX 2000. Others may be found in the National Occupational Standards for Community Development Work.

Tags: communities, health, practitioners, social care