Trust Thamesmead
The Learner Challenge
Learners already working or who have had prior experience within the ‘third sector’ were required to gain an accredited and recognised qualification to progress professionally.
The Solution
To ensure the local community in Thamesmead benefits from Community Development training, to include residents, members of community organisations and other stakeholders living and working within Thamesmead. To work together in partnership to support organisational needs and objectives by providing a two tier programme of OCN accredited ‘Community Development’ education. In particular, providing childcare to single parents who would otherwise be excluded.
The Impact
Third sector paid and voluntary workers are professionalised by way of gaining a recognised and accredited qualification pertaining to paid employment and promotion within organisations who work to improve social inclusion. Deeper understanding of what community development is ensures that Trust Thamesmead’s work with the community on their priority issues of social and economic exclusion e.g. unemployment, childcare and youth alienation and are fulfilled within Thamesmead, spanning two Boroughs- Bexley and Greenwich.
Learner View
Informative, inspirational and practical. I will highly recommend the course to anyone in Community Development work’
Patrick Seshie, Level 1 accredited community development learner.
‘I am enjoying the Community Development training at Trust Thamesmead. I confess that I was a little apprehensive at first, – but with the help, understanding, and patience of the other members of my group, I am now able to see that Group Action is necessary to effect change.’
‘The course has shown me that it is necessary to work as a group as the strengths and weaknesses of one are balanced by the strengths and weaknesses of the others.’
‘I am retired from full time work so the training will not affect me professionally, – but I will be able to put my point of view forward at community discussions/consultations, etc., and help others in expressing their own ideas’.