Reducing crime and improving health in NW Kilmarnock using community assets

Learning Points

Early indications are that that the assets-based approach maximises engagement opportunities between residents and organisations like the police. There are also some signs that it will positively impact on physical and mental health. All of this was done without any sort of formal funding stream as all of the investment was in people. As the work progressed there was increasing levels of interest from third sector organisations that were happy to contribute resources to enhance sustainability.

Not everything can be achieved without money so funds were secured to appoint a community catalyst on a three-year contract whose role was to inspire low-level, community-led initiatives. That particular role has developed into an excellent template that could be incorporated into existing service delivery models. However, it is unclear what cost savings have been made in monetary terms. The local council have embraced this approach, especially in light of the Christie Commission report, and the need to tackle ‘failure demand’. They have also transferred a small amount of funds to a local community group to enable them to commission their own services.    

Tony Bone wrote this case study for Governance International on 12 November 2012.