Tomorrow’s Communities

“If we want to change the world, we should start at the community level and build upward. During two pandemic years, I’ve found myself fibrillating over how to help. Tam’s book helped defibrillate me and put me back on the path towards striving for meaningful change.” Technical Communication

“‘Bowling alone’ will not help our communities succeed in addressing major challenges from climate change to COVID-19 and beyond. Yet, what is the alternative? Tomorrow’s Communities breaks new ground in showing how we can create community-based transformation with practical, evidence-based policies that should receive serious consideration from policy makers.” Thom Brooks, Dean, Durham Law School and Director, Labour Academic Network

“The crisis of democracy and the need for social, economic and political transformations characterise our times. This powerful collection draws on the potential of communities to be the provocateurs, agents and activists of that transformation.” Cilla Ross, Principal, Co-operative College

"What a brilliant and timely set of reflections this is. As we face up to the many crises affecting us – from lack of faith in democracy to the existential threat of climate change - it often feels like the only policy responses on offer rely either on action by faceless, far-off institutions or each of us finding the strength as individuals to make a difference. This book reminds us that when we organise, find common cause and re-set norms and expectations we can have tremendous power as communities. " Graham Duxbury, Groundwork

Henry Tam is a writer, educator and former head for civil renewal under the last Labour government. He was previously a lecturer at the University of Cambridge.

Introduction

1 The challenges for tomorrow’s communities ~ Henry Tam

PART A: Transforming socioeconomic relations in communities

2 The case for community economic development ~ Ed Mayo and Pat Conaty

3 Reciprocity and alternative mediums of exchange ~ Martin Simon

4 Regeneration in partnership with communities ~ Gabriel Chanan

5 Worker cooperatives and economic democracy ~ Pat Conaty and Philip Ross

PART B: Transforming collaborative behaviour with communities

6 Four factors for better community collaboration ~ Steve Wyler

7 The importance of community-based learning ~ Marjorie Mayo

8 The 45 ° Change model for remaking power relations ~ Colin Miller and Neal Lawson

9 Connecting at the edges for collective change ~ Alison Gilchrist

PART C: Transforming policy outcomes by communities

10 Co-production and the role of preventive infrastructure ~ David Boyle

11 Humanising health and social care ~ John Restakis

12 Reshaping the food aid landscape ~ Alice Willatt, Rosalind Beadle and Mary Brydon- Miller

13 Sustainable communities for the future ~ Diane Warburton

Conclusion

14 The policy agenda for community-based transformation ~ Henry Tam