In 2010 the Community Development Foundation (CDF) conducted an England wide survey of Community Development Practitioners and Managers

The findings have been compiled into a report, which can be downloaded from CDF here, along with an earlier national survey from 2003.

The South West Foundation has recently undertaken research lnto the current issues facing small community groups in the South West Region. Their new report, Crisis and Contradiction, contains the findings from this research.

Small community groups have been providing essential services to people ‘most in need’ in communities for generations. They not only provide essential services but also provide opportunities for people to contribute to their communities, to get involved and to have a greater say and influence.

Many of those small groups are now facing a crisis not just through the challenge of finding financial support but also through the loss of advice and support from key personnel in other agencies.

If these issues are not addressed, what will be lost may never be replaced. Communities will not only lose many essential services but also the knock on effects on health and well being could be significant.

www.the-foundation.org.uk/