Community Leadership programme reaches more than 250 London residents

Birkbeck’s Community Leadership programme has delivered 10 free short courses over six years, reaching more than 250 residents in Camden and Newham and helping participants develop skills, build confidence and explore opportunities to return to education.

The free five-week courses were delivered by Birkbeck with community partners and Birkbeck’s Community Development teaching team. Delivered in community venues across Camden and Newham, the programme was designed to reach people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience higher education.

A key part of the programme was building relationships with trusted local organisations, which encouraged their participants to engage with learning. The courses were designed to be inclusive and accessible, using a strengths-based approach that recognised participants as experts in their own communities and built on their existing knowledge and experience.

Participants explored topics including community engagement, project development, leadership styles, health and wellbeing, volunteering, policy and evaluation. The course combined academic ideas with practical activities, discussion, case studies and peer learning.

Dr David Tross, Associate Lecturer and Acting Programme Director for MSc Global Politics of Environment and Resources, delivered the course for several years.

“The course was called Community Leadership, not because the participants necessarily had any formal leadership role, but because they all, in various ways and through various roles, be it a community development worker, activist, council or charity employee, were making a contribution to their local area.

“We tried to bring the practical together with the academic, encourage peer learning and networking, and we drew on the rich knowledge and experience of participants throughout.”

The programme was also designed to help participants consider their next steps. The final session provided tailored information about higher education and challenged common misconceptions about adult learning.

For some participants, the course was a first step back into education, whether at Birkbeck, another institution, or through further skills development in their local community organisations.

Participant Mavis Wenham said, “I was delighted to progress through the course topics each session, with like-minded, genuine community activators and leaders across many types of projects and organisations. The areas covered were extensive and exploratory and the group supported each other through sharing knowledge, resources and ideas.”

Recent evaluation found that 35% of participants had already returned to education, while a further 23% planned to do so within the following year. All participants said they would recommend the course to friends or family, while 77% reported increased confidence sharing opinions and ideas in group discussions.

The programme has also helped create longer-term partnerships and opportunities. Various funders have enabled in-person delivery in local community venues, including The National Lottery for the first few years and in more recent iterations Linking London. The success of the original Community Leadership programme has led to consultancy projects with organisations including the Trussell Trust.

Six years and 10 courses on, the programme has demonstrated how working with community organisations can open up access to higher education, while recognising and building on the knowledge and experience already present in local communities. Birkbeck is now exploring further opportunities with community partners to develop these courses in London going forward.