In the past decade community groups have been portrayed as the solution to many social problems. Yet the role of below the regulatory radar community action has received little research attention and thus is poorly understood in terms of both policy and practice.
Focusing on self-organised community activity, this book offers the first collection of papers developing theoretical and empirically grounded knowledge of the informal, unregistered, yet largest, part of the voluntary sector. The collection includes work from leading academics, activists, policy makers and practitioners offering a new and coherent understanding of community action below the radar.
The book is part of the Third Sector Research Series which is informed by research undertaken at the Third Sector Research Centre, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and Barrow Cadbury Trust.
Arvustused
The book provides an insightful picture of BTR groups and social action in communities that is incredibly valuable to anyone wanting to understand more about this aspect of the UK voluntary sector. Community Development Journal (OUP) This fills a significant gap in our understanding of self-organised community activity, based on a range of original research studies. Essential reading for academics, activists and policy makers alike. Marjorie Mayo, Emeritus Professor of Community Development, Goldsmiths, University of London
Introduction: Why get below the radar? The importance of understanding
community groups and activities ~ Angus McCabe and Jenny Phillimore
Part One: Scoping and mapping community actions and activities
Below the radar? Community groups and activities in context ~ Angus McCabe
and Jenny Phillimore
Getting below the radar: micro-mapping hidden community activity ~ Andri
Soteri-Proctor
Part Two: Community groups and activities in context
Are we different? Claims for distinctiveness in voluntary and community
action ~ Angus McCabe and Jenny Phillimore
Community as policy: reflections on community engagement, empowerment and
social action in a changing policy context ~ Angus McCabe
Lost to austerity, lost in austerity: rethinking the community sector in
Ireland ~ Niall Crowley
All change? Surviving below the radar: community groups and activities in
hard times ~ Angus McCabe and Jenny Phillimore
Part Three: Under-explored radars
The UK Gypsy, Traveller and Roma third sector: a Gypsy industry or route to
empowerment? ~ Andrew Ryder and Sarah Cemlyn
Understanding grassroots arts groups and practices in communities ~ Hilary
Ramsden, Jane Milling and Robin Simpson
Is there a black and minority ethnic third sector in the UK? ~ Lucy Mayblin
More than a refugee community organisation: a study of African migrant
associations in Glasgow ~ Teresa Piacentini
Part Four: Thinking about voice, learning and emotion below the radar
Almost a whisper: black and minority ethnic community groups voice and
influence ~ Phil Ware
Learning to sustain social action ~ Jenny Phillimore and Angus McCabe
Authentic and legitimate? The emotional role of grassroots community
activists in policymaking ~ Rosie Anderson
Conclusion: thinking back and looking forward ~ Angus McCabe and Jenny
Phillimore
Professor Jenny Phillimore is Director of the Institute for Research into Superdiversity. During her five years at the Third Sector Research Centre her interests included small scale community action, refugee and migrant communities and community engagement
Angus McCabe is a Senior Research Fellow at the Third Sector Research Centre at the University of Birmingham. He has a background in community development practice in urban and rural settings in the UK
