National network calls for more ‘asset-based areas’ to transform communities and services

You can focus on what’s wrong with someone in terms of their health and social care but what if you focus on what’s ‘right’? A national network of community practitioners calls for all public sector professionals and commissioners to work with people’s ‘assets’ rather than their ‘deficits’  if they are to  build strong communities and sustainable public services, according to a  briefing  published today.

The briefing gives a compelling case for why asset-based approaches should be the basis of all local area planning and service delivery and follows on from the launch of Engaging and Empowering communities in 2016, which gained support from national leaders, including NHS England CE Simon Stevens.

The Asset –Based Area briefing was compiled by Alex Fox, CE Shared Lives Plus and Chair of the Building Community Capacity network, hosted by Think Local Act Personal (TLAP), which is leading the way.

In it, Fox and the network offer practical guidance with  a description of the ten features of an ‘asset-based area’ that nurtures people’s wellbeing, resilience and influence so that they become equal partners, not passive recipients to the organisations and people who respond to their needs. They also suggest a number of planning and support models that use  asset-based thinking and have been operating for years in different areas and with differing degrees of take up and success -models ranging from Homeshare schemes, dementia friendly communities, Time-banking and others.

Alex Fox OBE, Chief Executive of Shared Lives Plus, said:

“During this period where there’s huge pressure on money available to local areas it is more important than ever that every area can find value and build the full range of resources and assets that could be available to it. This would require leaders and decision makers to see their role as working with, not for, people. Working in co-production with people with health and care needs is at the heart of all asset-based methods”.   

Clenton Farquharson MBE, Chair of Think Local Act Personal board, said:

“I have nearly 15 years’ experience  of  arranging  my  own  support  and  employ  a  Personal  Assistant who enables me to live a  full and active life including spending time with family and running a Disabled People's User Led organisation called Community Navigator Service CIC, besides other interests and ambitions. I don't want to be part of the lucky few, I want more people to be supported and facilitated to live the type of life I enjoy”

Angela Boyle, Head of Programmes, Coalition for Collaborative Care, said:

“There is clear evidence that building asset-based areas works. By bringing together people and organisations we can nurture stronger, healthier communities. This paper supports community leaders with practical tools and models to effectively utilise the powerful assets that already exist in their communities for improved health and wellbeing”

-End-