A new edition of the very successful Community Work Skills Manual is being produced by the Federation for Community Development Learning. The Association of Community Workers (ACW), who originally created and produced the Skills Manual, no longer exists, and the Federation was asked to continue with the manual. We are very pleased and privileged to do this. Val Harris continues as editor. The manual will be on sale in summer 2008, and information on how to order your copy will be available here soon. If you'd like to be added to our waiting list for the manual, please email admin@fcdl.org.uk.

The Skills Manual is a well-established resource written by community workers and activists for community workers and activists, and in the new edition we have used your ideas, techniques and case studies on a variety of different topics. Thanks to everyone who has contributed.

The new Skills Manual is a completely updated 28th anniversary edition and it differs from previous versions because it contains case studies about green themes and environmental issues while still covering tried and tested ideas across all aspects of community development work. Topics covered include:

• Identifying community needs – undertaking research
• Making contact with communities of interest and identity
• Helping groups decide what resources they need
• How to get resources
• Funding and fundraising
• Creating alliances
• Building effective relationships - working with other professionals
• Supporting community representatives
• Communications within communities and between groups
• Setting up new groups – visioning and developing structures and systems
• Supporting existing groups - planning and taking actions
• Supporting existing groups - managing differences/ conflict/ group dynamics
• Working with children
• Community work with young people
• Faith based community work
• ICT for community groups