Kit for Councils
A pack for local authorities to support strong community relationships
Mutual aid and widespread community engagement have flourished since the first lockdown. The State doesn’t own this new activity, but it can help it to thrive.
We’ve teamed up with Tony Clements – Strategic Director for Economy at Hammersmith and Fulham Council – to develop a kit to inspire and support councils to create the conditions for relationships to thrive within their communities.
During Covid we have seen the huge power of community and neighbourly relationships and inspiring examples of councils across the country nimbly adapting to support this new activity. As we look beyond the pandemic, we must nurture these new relationships, enabling them to flourish into the networks of support that will enrich and strengthen our community life. Councils must be at the heart of this.
Explore the kit
The Relationships Framework
A set of principles for sustaining and nurturing community activity now and in the future
The Framework in Action
Dozens of real life examples of councils working in relationship-centred ways
The Relationships Navigator
A simple tool to assess how closely your practice aligns with the principles in the Framework
In this video, originally shared with Grapevine’s Thinkers and Doers network, Tony Clements introduces the Kit for Councils, talks through the nine principles, and fields some questions from members.
9 principles for councils
In The Relationships Framework we suggest 9 principles for for sustaining and nurturing community activity now and in the future.
Shift the obstacles
Remove bureaucratic barriers to community activity and citizens engaging with the council
Sustain motivation and build new purpose
Show people how their relationships and actions help address big issues.
Develop the Covid social infrastructure
Build on the new ways of working and connecting the pandemic has catalysed
Create open and transparent cultures
Foster trust by setting clear standards, being honest about mistakes + making information open
Enhance the everyday touchpoints
Make relationship–building an integral aim of council services
Build relationships into physical spaces
Use the built environment to encourage connection
Renew relationships with the voluntary sector
Share power through equal collaboration and favourable procurement
Train and empower staff
Equip council staff and dedicated community teams to build relationships day-to-day
Embrace new accountabilities
Ensure the council is publicly held to account for fostering community relationships.