27 May Making a life-changing connection can be as simple as ABCD

We are incredibly proud of what we do at Torbay Communities – the clue is in the name. At the heart of everything we do is the word community, and that comes in many forms and in a huge variety of sizes, from neighbourhoods to villages, to towns to special interest groups – whatever brings people together, because we believe that people are stronger together.

Achieving what we do is as simple as ABC (not forgetting the D), or as we call it, Asset-Based Community Development. Let me explain: ABCD is an approach to strengthening communities which focuses on the skills, talents, knowledge, relationships, and resources that already exist within a community, rather than concentrating only on problems or needs.

It was developed by John McKnight and Jody Kretzmann in the 1990s. ABCD challenges traditional deficit-based models that often view communities primarily in terms of deprivation, dependency, or social problems. Instead, it recognises that every individual and community possesses assets that can be mobilised to create positive change.

“We have what we need when we share what we have.”

At the heart of ABCD is the belief that local people are the experts in their own lives and communities. Rather than outside organisations deciding what a neighbourhood needs, ABCD encourages residents to identify what is strong, not simply what is wrong. This shift in perspective can build confidence, increase participation, and strengthen community resilience.

The approach identifies several types of community assets. The first and most important are individual assets. Every person has abilities, experiences, passions, and knowledge that can contribute to community life. For example, one person may have gardening skills, another may be good at organising events, while someone else may have experience supporting older people or young families. ABCD seeks to uncover and connect these abilities.

The second type of asset is associations and community groups. Informal networks such as sports clubs, faith groups, neighbourhood associations, parent groups, volunteer organisations, and hobby clubs all play a vital role in building social connections. These groups often provide support, friendship, and opportunities for people to become active citizens.

A third category is local institutions. Schools, libraries, charities, health centres, housing associations, businesses, and local councils can all contribute resources, knowledge, and facilities to support community action. In ABCD, institutions work alongside communities as partners rather than directing activity from above.

Physical and economic assets are also important. Parks, community centres, local shops, public spaces, transport links, and local businesses all contribute to the life of a community. Even underused buildings or unused land can become valuable assets when communities identify creative ways to use them.

One of the key principles of ABCD is relationship building. Strong communities are built on trust, cooperation, and social connections. ABCD practitioners, therefore, focus on helping people meet each other, share ideas, and work together. These relationships create social capital, which refers to the networks and trust that enable communities to function effectively.

Another important principle is citizen-led action. Community members are encouraged to take the lead in identifying priorities and creating solutions. Professionals and organisations act as facilitators and supporters rather than decision-makers. This can increase local ownership and make projects more sustainable because people are more likely to support initiatives they have helped create.

Cue our network of amazing Community Builders – if you don’t know who your local CB is, go to the CBs’ page here on our website and make that connection. You really don’t know what you are missing.

Our Community Builders (which cover every area of the Bay) encourage people of all ages to get involved in their neighbourhood. With extensive local knowledge, your Community Builder can connect you with like-minded people, groups or organisations in your community.

We have seen lives transformed when people of all ages work alongside their Community Builder to bring positive changes to the place where they live. We have seen so many new friendships and activities happening in the community: from coffee mornings to social dog walking, IT support groups to crafting workshops, memory cafes to singles nights, and most importantly, neighbours helping each other out on a day-to-day basis.

Community Building isn’t so much about looking for problems to solve as finding opportunities to develop, not coming up with barriers to be overcome but ways to move forward. It’s not about ‘directing’ what goes on locally, not imposing from without, but encouraging development from within.

When asked, ‘What do you mean when you talk about “assets”?’ Jim Diers, a leading academic and community development practitioner, said that “assets” were the usable places and, of course, the people in every community.

Community Builders help people look at what they can offer and at what’s out there in their neighbourhood – like parks and other usable spaces – to discover what communities might benefit from, and to think creatively about how to achieve what’s wanted.

To sum up, Community Building is citizen-led rather than something imposed from above; it’s about people and about relationships. It is about being human.