Across the globe the role of third and voluntary sector organisations in building capacity, supporting community cohesion and supporting transitions to fair, green and accessible cities has been increasingly acknowledged.

In the UK, the value of different community organisations is being recognised at a time of public sector austerity and welfare reform in the UK. Realising the Potential of Community Assets examines the development and challenges involved for local community hubs in different areas of Greater Manchester.

Through collaboration with the Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations, the project examines the value and potential of community hubs and the roles that the third and voluntary sectors might play in producing more socially just, economically viable and ecologically sustainable urban futures.

The project has involved joint conception and project planning, a short placement, parallel research activities, focus groups, interviews and a process of Community Hubs Action Learning SeTs (CHAT).

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Short facts

Project title: Realising the Potential of Community Assets

Partners: University of Salford Manchester, Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations (GMCVO) and community hubs across Greater Manchester.

Project period: 2014-2015

Financier/s: University of Salford Manchester, Mistra Urban Futures and Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations

Project Leads

Academic:

• Alex Wharton, Research Fellow, SURF University of Salford Manchester, a.wharton@salford.ac.uk
• Beth Perry, Director GMLIP and SURF University of Salford Manchester, b.perry@salford.ac.uk

Practitioner: 

• Ian Taylor, Business Development Manager GMCVO, ian.taylor@gmcvo.org.uk