Originally published on 15 October 2020

On 24th and 29th September 2020 we held our very first set of immersive, online events – ‘Passionate People Making a Positive Difference’.

The events launched the findings from the latest report by the University of Birmingham on the case for investment in support of passionate people running community enterprises and community businesses.

Through a series of interactive workshops, the events provided opportunities to:

• Learn about the positive effect passionate people have on local economies
• Hear from leading councils and commissioners about the systems and cultures that strengthen community resilience and help community enterprises flourish
• See how community enterprises and community businesses can fill in the gaps between services and how passionate people have been vital through the recent crisis
• Feel the passion from the people in our communities through their amazing stories and experiences. Watch their story here

Find out more about what we learnt from the event by watching the recorded workshop sessions on demand below…

Workshop A: Resilient Communities

York City Council shared the approach they’re taking to work in real partnership with local people and communities. A long-term focus on collaboration and strengths in York has created a community resilience that has come into its own in recent times of Covid challenges and crisis.

Workshop B: Local Economies

Community Catalysts and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) led the session which outlined the underpinning principles behind community wealth building and the potential impact on local economies of social care funding spent on community services and supports.

Workshop C: Community Businesses Can

Community businesses, Forge Urban Revival and Sutton Hill Community Trust, talked about their work and the impact on local people and communities while Telford and Wrekin Council shared their approach of investing in community wellbeing hubs and community businesses.

Workshop D: Councils Create

Central Bedfordshire Council spoke about their focus on positive systems change and their partnership with Community Catalysts and shared more about the Local Authority systems and cultures that are vital to creating real choice for people who need care or support to live their lives.

Workshop E: Connecting People

Dr Lennane and leaders of the community enterprise Rejuvenate! and the Ross Community Development Trust discussed the impact of social isolation on people and society and shared different ways in which they are helping others in their communities to connect.

Workshop F: Gaps in Support

Powys Council and a local community enterprise talked about the work they are doing with Community Catalysts and the positive impact it is having on addressing the issue of gaps in care and support for people, particularly those who live in rural areas.

Workshop G: Community Collaboration

Power to Change and Made in Wigan shared creative ways that people and organisations in communities are working together to solve local problems and build on local strengths. The workshop focused on the power of connections and what this looks like in practice.

Thanks to all involved, particularly all the community enterprises and community businesses, Anna Geyer for the live drawing and Dance Syndrome for their fabulous, interactive dance intro. Watch the Dance Syndrome session here.

If you’d like to find out more about the event or our work you can get in touch with us here.

The events and Enterprising Communities project, which provided the learning for the events, were funded and supported by: Power to Change, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, University of Birmingham, York City Council, Herefordshire Council, Telford and Wrekin Council and Warwickshire County Council.