Empowering communities and helping them to thrive

The Active Best Practice Network

In this episode Rich Hurst speaks with Lucy Bird and Lucy Chick about their experiences in working with communities, highlighting the importance of both listening to, and empowering communities to set up needs-based community projects, based on the assets available to them and ‘going where the energy is’.

Lucy Bird is a Community Builder at Droitwich CVS and has worked within community development for over 12 years. With knowledge of local services and opportunities, Lucy manages and supports residents to develop their offers. Lucy recognises the role of individuals within communities and the need for them to feel connected.

Lucy Chick is a Senior Public Health Practitioner in Worcestershire County Council Public Health team. With 11 years of experience in tackling a range of public health challenges & broader health determinants and is now working on reducing social isolation and loneliness, and working with an asset-based approach. This approach fosters sustainable community-led development by supporting local community assets and encouraging collaboration among individuals, associations, and institutions to enhance and utilise their collective strengths. Public Health has actively funded the integration of this asset-based approach within Worcestershire's communities, in collaboration with District Councils and the voluntary and community sector.
Disclaimer: Projects are subject to funding which may be liable to change after the release date of August 2024.

Links related to this episode:
https://www.activehw.co.uk/

https://www.activehw.co.uk/our-community-can

https://www.droitwichcvs.org.uk/

https://insights.worcestershire.gov.uk/

https://www.nurturedevelopment.org/asset-based-community-development/

https://www.abcdinleeds.com/