The Community Development Podcast (@CommDevtPodcast)

Ep.31 - Introducing the International Association of Community Development with Anna Clarke

In this episode, Russell is joined by Anna Clarke (twitter.com/annaiclarke) who is European Trustee and Chair of the International Association of Community Development (IACD) to discuss its mission, work and networks. In particular, recorded while the COP26 climate emergency summit was being held in Glasgow, Anna discusses how the IACD is addressing climate change as an issue of social justice. You can join IACD here: https://www.iacdglobal.org/join-us/membership-fees/ The forthcoming IACD book International Community Development Practice is available in hardback, paperback, and e-book formats on Routledge to buy here: https://www.routledge.com/International-Community-Development-Practice/McConnell-Daniel-Muia-Clarke/p/book/9780367691240?utm_source=individuals&utm_medium=shared_link&utm_campaign=B019147_hg2_1au_7pp_d741 You can support this podcast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/TheCDPodcast

Ep.30 - The dispossessing effect of gentrification with Christian Noakes

In November 2020 an online article found its way to me by Associate Editor at Peace, Land and Bread, Christian Noakes (twitter.com/comrade_cricket) called ‘Displacement of the Dispossessed: Community Development Under Capitalism’: https://www.peacelandbread.com/post/displacement-of-the-dispossessed The way it deconstructed gentrification and its lexicon, re-presenting it to be the pernicious and insidious process it is, is remarkable. It’s a must-read for anyone who looks around them, particularly in (though not confined to) urban areas, and is frustrated at the abundance of bland, unimaginative, speculative development they see, and in particular for anyone who feels they have a diminishing - what David Harvey calls - ‘right to the city’. Support the podcast by becoming a patron here: https://www.patreon.com/TheCDPodcast

Ep.29 - Data or Dinner? Data poverty in Wales and Scotland with Nesta Cymru

In this episode Russell is joined by Rob Ashelford, Head of Nesta Cymru, upon the release of a report into the extent of data poverty in Wales and Scotland published by Nesta and Y Lab based in Cardiff, Wales. The report 'Data Poverty in Wales and Scotland' reveals a stark picture for as many as 1 million people in Wales and Scotland – 1 in 7 of the adult population – who lack sufficient data to meet basic digital needs, that in turn can widen inequality, aggravate disadvantage and hinder people’s access to information to allow them to play a fuller part in society and their community. The report cautions against merely ‘throwing’ data at people and instead taking a more nuanced look at what data needs people have. Community Development potentially plays a key role in uncovering the nuance required: by facilitating collective and communal responses (such as buying data in bulk); providing free access to those experiencing data poverty; and advocating on behalf of those experiencing data poverty. Follow Y Lab and Nesta at: Twitter.com/ylabwales linkedin.com/company/y-lab-wales/ twitter.com/Nesta_uk Support The Community Development Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheCDPodcast

Ep.28 - Acquiring “a profound sense of place” – catching up with Hope St Mellons

Back in June 2020 for episode #25 Russell caught up with Helen Griffiths and David Clague from St Mellons in east Cardiff to explore how they we adapting to life under the lockdown and how they were adapting their Community Development activity to address challenges that had emerged. Russell and Helen – who works with Hope St Mellons – kept in touch and caught up again to have a socially-distant chat in the garden of their community house to see what has happened in the intervening period. facebook.com/hopestmellons Support The Community Development Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheCDPodcast

Ep.27 - Small Is Beautiful - storytelling & knowledge in community social care with Nick Andrews

Nick Andrews from the Wales School for Social Care Research at Swansea University, joins the podcast for the first time to discuss his work to bring research and practice together in social care systems. Nick’s training and background is as a community social worker and is a disciple of the Most Significant Change methodology that emphasises the value of storytelling and importance of giving people voice about what matters to them in social care settings. It’s a methodology that is just as applicable, I believe, to community development, and I can point to two community organisations near to where I’m based in south Wales that use it. Nick also convenes the Small Is Beautiful network of small grassroots ‘disruptors’ and organisations in Wales that includes Action In Caerau and Ely (who joined for podcast #14), Solva Care and Kim Inspire. Follow/Contact on: https://www.walessscr.org/en/ n.d.andrews@swansea.ac.uk