Team's Fringe Benefits - Community Development and Youth Work

There is something a bit special about the Community Development and Youth Work Team in that we cannot resist the occasional challenge. In the fast-moving world of social science, and in particular community development and youth work, it pays to keep grounded by getting involved in research and projects. For instance, some of the team are currently involved in some research about a project called ‘Men in Sheds’. The clue is in the title and we are learning about the social, psychological and health benefits of groups of men (though not always exclusively) working together making and growing things. A report and article are due out this summer. In addition, some of the team are supporting the new initiative, taking place on Bolton’s Railway Station on platform 4. A new Community and Arts Centre is being developed by Bolton Station Development group and the team are involved in exploring models of governance and operations. Other developments that we have on the go are, a consultancy with a university in Nigeria to establish a Community Institute that will train health professionals and community workers, linking to Hospitals in the UK such as Christies to develop Youth Work in a clinical setting. Members of the team regularly develop networks outside the programme to help the thinking inside.

Bren Cook (Programme Lead)

Community Development and Youth Work (BA)