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September saw the first South Bristol Community Development Gathering. An opportunity for professionals working in Community Development to come together to network, learn new things, share ideas and develop best practice, in an innovative, fun and informal environment.
The Gatherings are co-organised by workers across South Bristol, allowing a different organisation to act as host for each meeting. This way of working encourages the idea that people working in community development, should work together in a collaborative way, and also ensures that the gatherings are sustainable.
The first gathering was hosted by Bristol Indoor Bowls Club in Ashton Vale, giving workers the opportunity to explore and discover a valuable community asset.
On the day, 14 local professionals were placed in teams of three to play a game of bowls, allowing everyone to get to know each other in a fun and personal way. After lunch, a more formal discussion took place to find out what each worker would value from future meetings and to learn more about each other’s current work. From this discussion the following values were agreed:
• Space to reflect and develop practice
• Share information
• Avoid duplication
• Co-organise local events
• Talk about dilemmas
• Share knowledge and skills
• Gather information for new workers
Workers who attended on the day said how creative and positive the afternoon was, and how wonderful it was to explore a great venue.
If you work in Community Development and would like to be involved in future South Bristol Gatherings, or would just like to find out more about how you can work in an asset based way, then please contact Magda Kowalik-Malcolm on 07738 104 101 or email magdaKM@linkagewestofengland.org.uk