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North West Citizenship / Take Part Network



The North West Citizenship / Take Part Network was launched in November 2006. It is a Network of organisations, facilitators, participants and citizens focused on developing, supporting and delivering active learning opportunities for active citizenship. It has grown from the Greater Manchester Active Learning for Active Citizenship Hub. When the Home Office pilot Active Learning for Active Citizenship came to an end the Hubs involved with the pilot, including the Greater Manchester Hub were charged with becoming regional networks. Active Learning for Active Citizenship was renamed Take Part and a National Network was established.

There are many central government initiatives which call on citizens to engage with their local authorities, PCTs and other public agencies on the design and delivery of services. For this active involvement to be fully effective and rewarding citizens need skills and knowledge. The North West Citizenship / Take Part Network responds to the need for active learning for citizens from all aspects of society to be able to fully engage in shaping and influencing public authorities’ services collectively; whether by engaging in public agencies activities or by creating their own spaces to shape and influence.


Community Audit and Evaluation Centre

Where we are

 

The Network is based at the Didsbury campus of the Manchester Metropolitan University. However, the focus of the Network is across the North West and projects are delivered with partners in communities across the North West.


How is it done?

 

The Network works in partnership with other organisations. Community based partners will have longer term contact with a group and provide continuity after the involvement of the trainers from the Network. All those involved are encouraged to become part of the Network and benefit from being part of a regional body linked into a national Network. Each piece of work happens through three phases.

Phase 1

Identifying community partners and participants OR Community partners and participants contacting us. Community partners will engage a group of participants. Through a participative process with the trainer, partner and group, a suitable time, venue, length of sessions, frequency of sessions, involvement of partner agency, and tailored content is agreed.

Phase 2

The course is delivered. This is participative and interactive where participants learn by doing.

Phase 3

Action. Throughout the course the idea of a collective action is considered. This is in response to what is being learnt or found out, and shapes the action which attempts to create positive change. This change may be on a local community level, with service providers or with national decision makers.


Who does it?

 

The Network has a coordinator. The Coordinator facilitates the Network, supports a pool of trainers, identifies and develops partnerships, applies for funding, and disseminates information and the work of the Network. The Network has a pool of trainers who work with community partners and groups of participants to deliver active learning for active citizenship opportunities. Network members input into the direction of the work through quarterly meetings. The Coordinator is part of a team within the Community Audit and Evaluation Centre.


What do we offer?

 

We provide the following:

  • Support to others delivering active learning for active citizenship learning
  • Opportunity to be part of a North West Citizenship Network which meets quarterly, shares good practices, discusses new initiatives and strategies, and identifies partnerships working and funding opportunities.
  • Accredited MMU courses, certificates for participation or attendance, and the opportunity to use the credits from the module when registered on a relevant MMU course.
  • Information bulletins
  • Opportunities to work in partnership.


Courses we offer

 

There a several modules which have been accredited through MMU which we deliver in the community. These are:

  • Training for Trainers: Community Education for Social Change. Level 3, 10 credit module. The course is interactive and based on Popular Education developed in the South. The Take Part Learning Framework is based on these principles.
  • Community Based Active Learning. Level 1&2, 10 credit module. This course is also called a School of Participation, as similar to the Training for Trainers course, is built on principles developed in the South, particularly the work of Paulo Friere. The course is delivered with a group of participants who have come together over a specific issue. The module includes an action element where the participants take some collective action regarding their issues.
  • Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice. Level 2 & 3, 10 credit module.
    The course aims to introduce students to conflict resolution/management techniques and a range of practical skills that will act as a framework for understanding, resolving, managing and ultimately preventing violence and conflict escalation in a range of settings, both with team members and ‘client’ groups. This will be explored through the academic framework of Humanist Psychology focusing on theory and practice of conflict management.
  • Community Audit and Evaluation. Not sure of levels or credits because can not find module outline.
    Community Based Audits and Evaluations is a useful tool and educational process which enables community members to strengthen their knowledge, understanding and ability to effect change in their own lives, those of their communities and policy more generally. Community auditing and the finding of local solutions for local issues means that there is a greater potential for effective and sustainable strategies to be implemented.


Why do we do it this way?

 

The Network is working in this way because through experience it has proved to work. See publications and case studies of previous work. It is based on the premise that active citizenship can only be achieved when citizens learn through doing, for example through participation. The work is in line with the Government's emphasis on community empowerment and involvement in identifying local needs and developing local plans.


Objectives

 

The objectives of the Network are:

  • To disseminate this method and way of working including the Take Part Learning Framework.
  • To support others in the delivery of active learning for active citizenship learning opportunities.
  • To deliver active learning for active citizenship learning opportunities, through existing MMU modules and seeking to develop new modules in response to identified need.
  • To work in partnership with community base organisations.
  • To widen the partnership across the North West.
  • To link people into their local educational institutions and MMU; to promote the opportunities for progression.
  • To link people into something wider than their local community through the regional Network, and also through the National Take part Network.