Stronger Communities

Stronger Communities, Stronger Economy?
An Invitation to share ideas with the Council on Social Action

Jump to: Stronger Communities, Stronger Economy Feedback

Does the recession provide an opportunity to rebuild a better, fairer society? What can we do now to ensure that we emerge from the current economic challenges with stronger, more connected and more caring communities?

In March 2009, The Council on Social Action, set up to advise the Prime Minister on his agenda for social action, began to engage the Chain Reaction community in developing ideas about creating social renewal alongside economic renewal. Click here for summary of the thinking so far

David Robinson, Vice Chair of the Council on Social Action, and Senior Adviser at Community Links says,

“Recession could drive division and exclusion or it could unite us extracting greater value from all that we have, embracing new ideas and working together on common goals. We would not have chosen the circumstances but there are opportunities in recession. What are they and how might be realised for the benefit of us all? The Council is eager to hear and progress the answers to these questions”
Video David Robinson talks about Stronger Communities, Stronger Economy

Self organised discussion groups have already taken place in London, Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, Sheffield and Liverpool, and feedback was shared with the Chain Reaction community, the we20 initiative and The Council on Social Action.

Get Involved

Effective communities benefit from the engagement of the many, not the few, and we are keen that over the next couple of months the conversations continue in communities throughout the UK.

Participating in a discussion group in your local area is a great way to make new connections, create change in your own communities, and get your ideas heard. Discussion groups can be a small informal group with colleagues or friends, or this could be a hosted group in your area, and anyone can get involved with minimal organisation.

If you would like to hold a discussion in your community, here’s how:

Be inspired Take at look at the outcomes of previous discussion groups
Get Started Decide when and where you want to hold your Stronger Communities, Stronger Economy discussion
Tell people about your discussion group Add your event to the Chain Reaction network or tell us, and we will advertise to the Chain Reaction community
Engage others Create an online discussion group before the meeting to stimulate discussion. During the meeting you may also consider using social media such as Twitter to engage people online (please use the hashtag #scse)
Feedback Post the resulting ideas and feedback onto the Chain Reaction network to gather further support and stimulate further discussion. All feedback received will be shared with the Council on Social Action who will then make recommendations to government departments.

We have also produced some brief guidance notes on how to run your own discussion group, but you can also contact us for further information and advice

Go to the Stronger Communities, Stronger Communities feedback

Chain Reaction