Working with the community: Love Barrow Families

Julie Wilkinson, Research in Practice Associate, speaks to Trina Robson, one of the Directors at Love Barrow Families. These podcasts form part of a series on the topic of community development.

Part one - Setting up Love Barrow Families

This episode discusses how Love Barrow Families started work with the community in Barrow in Furness. It highlights how they provided a sense of belonging and trust for families and the importance of an ethos that values and promotes the strengths, assets and skills of individuals in the community.

Part two - How Love Barrow Families has developed over time

This episode looks at how Love Barrow Families has developed over time, maintained core values and responded to change.

Talking points

Trina and Julie discussed:

• The geographical and social context of Barrow in Furness.
• The catalyst for change in service delivery for children and families in Barrow.
• Moving from local authority funding to becoming a community interest company.
• The importance of an ethos that values and promotes the strengths, assets and skills of individuals in the community, and that is based on a relational approach.
• Some of the challenges Love Barrow Families have faced and advice on what other local authorities might want to think about in taking a similar approach.

Resources mentioned in these podcasts

• Cottam, C. (2020) Why we need a social revolution and how to make it happen
• Russell, C. (2019) Rekindling Democracy
• Vincent, C. (2017) ‘The magic is in the co-production’: Full Report from the Evaluation of the Love Barrow Families Project. Northumbria University
• Pat Crittenden: Adult Attachment Interview
• Ryan-Collins, J. and Stephens, L. (2008) Co-production: A manifesto for growing the core economy. New Economics Foundation

Further learning

• Dartington: Research in Practice. Community development work: The approach in Camden Council: Community development work: The approach in Camden Council
• Dove, B.(2020) ‘Someone to watch over me’ Social Work 2020 under Covid-19 Magazine.
• Godar, R. (2020) Enabling community capacity during COVID-19. Dartington: Research in Practice.
• Sutton, J. (2018) Assets-based work with communities: Leaders' Briefing. Dartington: Research in Practice.

Reflective questions 

Here are some reflective questions to stimulate conversation and support practice. 

1. How do you/ your organisation work with the community?
2. What are the key facilitators and barriers for you/ your organisation in working with the community? How might you address these barriers?
3. What are the key messages from this podcast that you might take forward in your organisation or team?