Quality Assured Training

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Community Roots delivers a suite of quality assured Community Organising training, designed for people who want to understand community organising, strengthen their practice or develop the skills to listen, build relationships and support community action.

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Courses can be delivered as a full-day session or as two half-day sessions, either in person or online.

 

An Introduction to Community Organising

A starting point for anyone interested in community organising and how it works in practice.

The course introduces the foundations of community organising — listening, power and action — and explores how people can build relationships, understand what matters within their communities and begin to organise for change.

During the course you will:

• develop a better understanding of community organising;

• explore the importance of listening to build relationships and uncover issues;

• consider power within communities and why it matters;

• explore what motivates people to act; and

• consider your own next steps in community organising.

 

Listening Skills for Community Organising

Listening is at the heart of community organising. It helps build trust and relationships, uncovers the issues people care about and provides the starting point for bringing people together around shared concerns, ideas and opportunities for action.

This course combines an introduction to relational listening with practical tools that can be used in communities.

During the course you will:

• explore why listening is fundamental to community organising;

• understand relational listening and how it differs from everyday conversation;

• develop practical listening skills and techniques;

• explore how powerful questions help people tell their stories;

• learn how listening can identify shared issues, relationships and potential community leaders;

• begin planning a listening campaign; and

• explore how reflection can strengthen organising practice.

 

Building Power through Community Organising

Power is central to community organising. This course explores what power means, how it operates within our communities and institutions, and how people can build power together to challenge injustice and create change.

Through practical and thought-provoking activities, participants explore different forms of power and consider their own ability to influence the things that matter to them.

During the course you will explore:

• your own personal power and ability to act;

• how power is exercised in communities and wider society;

• what it means to organise for change;

• how to begin identifying the underlying causes of social injustice; and

• how people can build collective power through community organising.

 

Action for Change through Community Organising

Community organising ultimately leads towards action. This interactive course explores how people can work together to create change within their neighbourhoods and communities.

Participants look at different forms of community action, what motivates people to become involved and how listening, leadership, relationships and an understanding of power can be brought together into an effective strategy.

During the course you will:

• explore what motivates people to take action in their community;

• understand the purpose of action within community organising;

• consider different types of organised and collective action;

• learn how to develop a power map and strategy for change;

• explore ways of mobilising and involving other people;

• build confidence in leading collective action; and

• understand the importance of reflecting on action and learning from experience.

 

Additional Training

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Alongside our quality assured Community Organising courses, Community Roots has developed a range of shorter training sessions.

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These can be delivered as stand-alone sessions, and we can also work with organisations and communities to develop training around their particular needs and context.

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Planning a Community Event

A practical course taking participants through the process of developing a community event from the initial idea through to delivery.

We explore the purpose of an event, identifying the audience, choosing a venue, budgeting and resources, practical planning and health and safety.

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Inclusivity and Diversity

Each of us has many different facets to our identity — some visible and others less obvious.

This course explores connection, inclusion and diversity within community work. We look at the things that connect people as well as the things that make us different, and consider how we can create spaces and activities in which people feel welcomed, valued and able to participate.

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Reflection and Evaluation

Reflective practice is an important part of developing effective community work.

This course explores the difference between reflection, assessment and evaluation, and looks at practical ways of reflecting on our work, understanding what has changed and learning from experience.

We also explore different approaches to evaluating projects and communicating outcomes to communities, partners, commissioners and funders.

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