Think pieces - to stimulate thought and debate

These contributions to the debate around community capacity are much welcomed. Some have been written for us, others are from other organisations and individuals working in the field which we believe are helpful.

• Altogether NOW- Collectively figuring out how to develop alternatives to just paid support
  The content of this paper, aimed at sharing thinking and practical ideas, is the result of listening to and drawing out the ideas from people and organisations in the North West. The paper details some...
• Connected Communities: How social networks power and sustain the Big Society: A report by RSA
  RSA's new report is the culmination of the first year of the RSA Connected Communities project. It draws on recent research on the effect of social networks on our behaviour and wellbeing as well as...
• Self Management by Service Users: is it viable?
  Slivers of Time is a social enterprise providing an online marketplace for care and support. Their systems empower Service Users by offering known-to-be-available, fully priced options from multiple...
• A Glass Half-Full - How An Asset Approach Can Improve Community Health and Well-being
  'A Glass Half-full' offers a fresh perspective on how to reduce inequalities in community health and wellbeing. It proposes assessing and building on the strengths and resources in a community to increase...
• Skills for Care - Only a footstep away?: Neighbourhoods, social capital & their place in the 'big society'
  This paper is a background discussion document produced for Skills for Care. It scopes the meaning and understanding of neighbours and neighbourhoods and considers how this might inform strategic development...
• Carers and Social Capital
  There are six million unpaid carers in the UK, caring for relatives, partners and friends who are older people in need of support, or who have disabilities, illnesses or substance misuse problems. ...
• Personalisation of universal services : Library and information services
  Whilst the term 'personalisation' is not in common use in library and information services the work that libraries have undertaken to ensure their services are socially inclusive demonstrates how library...
• New Economics Foundation - Joining the Dots: How all the system elements can connect to drive personalisation and co-production, incorporating individual social and community capacity
  This briefing outlines how within the context of getting 'value for money' it is essential for local authorities to align service strategies in a way that supports community capacity building and builds...