The Moulsecoomb Being Heard Project involved academics, students, residents and community workers. This research team used the lived experience of residents to compare the benefits and effectiveness (for them) of diverse methods of engaging in their community, how this engagement is developed into meaningful participation and how it works for people who experience additional levels of disadvantage.

Project Outline

The concept of ‘deepening democracy’ is an important topic of debate throughout the world. In both rich and poor countries there is increasing dissatisfaction with traditional forms of representative democracy and this has led to efforts to develop more direct and participatory ways for citizens to engage in local decision-making. Some of these efforts have been initiated by central and local governments, others by citizens themselves, and in both cases they take a variety of forms.

In the UK, citizen participation has been on the policy agenda since the Labour Government came to power in 1997 and its importance has recently been highlighted the Government’s White Paper on Local Government. The importance attached to citizen participation is reflected in recent community regeneration and neighbourhood renewal programmes, particularly the New Deal for Communities (NDC), which was launched in 1998 and operates in 39 deprived communities in the UK.

Citizen participation is an important issue in Brighton and Hove. It is actively promoted by the City Council and a variety of participatory initiatives exist, some supported by the Council and others by voluntary organisations such as the Scarman Trust. It is particularly important in one of the NDC projects, eb4U. Through this and other initiatives, residents of the area have gained valuable experience of participation and expressed a wish to have their experiences evidenced and recorded.

Supported by BSCKE funding, the Moulsecoomb Being Heard project involved academics and students from the Institute of Development Studies and the University of Brighton’s Health and Social Policy Research Centre; and community residents and workers from the Scarman Trust and eb4u. The research team used the lived experience of residents to compare the benefits and effectiveness (for them) of diverse methods of engaging in their community, how this engagement is developed into meaningful participation, and how it works for people who experience additional levels of disadvantage. The learning that emerged from this research provided evidence which contributed to the on-going assessment and evaluation of modes of participation, and to their more effective implementation.

Project partners have strong links with a number of local, regional and national organisations and service providers who all have an interest in effective community involvement. Providing them with case studies, models of good practice and real-life experiences had a role in influencing, shifting perceptions and shaping policy and service provision. It provided evidence to improve their understanding of what residents bring and require and support changes in their approach, in order to make financial and other resource savings.

The findings provided useful information for all those involved in community participation and urban renewal in Brighton and Hove. It also contributed to the on-going assessment and evaluation of modes of participation nationally and to current international ‘deepening democracy’ debate.

Project Partners

Scarman Trust EB4U IDS - Institute of Development Studies HSPRC - Health and Social Policy Research Centre, University of Brighton