There is an increasing concern within Scotland about the difficulties of reaching not only geographic communities, but also communities of interest such as young people who are hard to engage in community planning and consequently excluded. This learning point aims to explore how such communities can be reached and to have a voice.

Learning points arising from research conducted by 16 national voluntary sector organisations to try a variety of approaches to targeting different communities of interest across Scotland and helping to get them involved in community planning.

Communities Scotland funded 16 national voluntary organisations to try a variety of ways to target different communities of interest across Scotland and help to get them involved in community planning.

Learning workshops were held, a review was made of project materials, a series of individual interviews were held and an electronic and postal survey conducted. Eight case studies were then developed.

Briefing and information packs were the most useful support. Training events, conferences and seminars were helpful; Plain English was essential; national organisations gained greater understanding about local needs and priorities and developed their own understanding of community planning. Involving communities of interest raised staff awareness and helped the organisations make an impact on their community.

The programme demonstrated the value of support from national voluntary organisations in assisting with the engagement of local communities of interest and local voluntary and community organisations in the planning process.

Practitioners and the community

The voluntary organisations developed different resources for different audiences; ran training workshops, seminars and conferences; undertook research, and offered support and mentoring.

Anna Stansfield, tel. +44 (0) 141 419 1695

//2004

case

Urban Policy