Bonds and bridges

bonds and bridges: a DTA practitioner guide to community diversity
£8.50 incl p&p (£5.00 for DTA members).

The DTA recognises that communities are becoming increasingly diverse, yet many groups of people still feel directly or indirectly excluded from the rest of their community. Engaging with these diverse groups is at the core of successful community regeneration, and many development trusts across the UK have taken positive steps to engage with diversity in their communities. For example, the Sunlight Trust in Kent is involved in getting young ex-offenders back into work. Matt, one of the beneficiaries, explains what this opportunity means to him: "being treated and valued like anyone else was my first surprise…..you are not treated normally as a prisoner so that was a shock….I never felt judged and people actually trusted me. I'm now working in community development, an area I previously never knew anything about. I'm helping keep youngsters out of prison and helping those inside to change the things in their lives that keep them returning. It's been an incredible life changing experience."

It is hoped that the publication will provide inspiration and contribute to the debate in the development trust and community enterprise movement as well as the wider regeneration sector. Steve Wyler, Director of the DTA explains: “One of the key lessons we want to put forward is how communities can be proactive in engaging with diverse communities, it’s not just about adhering to written policy. The member trusts profiled in this publication clearly demonstrate how organisations can put policy into practice, whilst at the same time developing community ownership and cultivating sustainable and enterprising businesses!”