Sustaining Community Leadership
Corra Foundation
Sustaining Community Leadership
On 3rd October 2024, Corra’s Place programme, partners and communities supported by Getting Alongside Communities, met at Greyfriars Charteris Centre in Edinburgh to enjoy a day together exploring how to sustain community leadership.
Take a scroll through our photo gallery from the event – can you spot yourself?
The current work was placed in its context of ‘Priorities, Plans and Partnerships’, alongside the first iterations of the co-produced plans which to help focus Corra and the community’s work until March 2026.
The group were taken through several ‘Leadership Embodiment’ practices meant to show how to identify what support people have in their lives, to be able to centre themselves in the moment and refocus on their desired outcomes.
Through a range of active, creative and engaging sessions, community members and partners explored the ways in which community leadership can be sustained.
Most clearly articulated was the need for systemic change, where people are working together to create positive futures. The need to root ourselves in our communities, our ‘Places’ and to work from a point of understanding was also key.
Community members and partners also recognised that the current piece of work ensuring Corra’s programme comes to a good end had its difficulties but also opportunities. Community members in a panel discussion noted how one of the main benefits of the programme had been having a dedicated member of staff who acted both as a trusted connector between communities and agencies, but also, who showed communities that they have the skills and increased their confidence to build positive futures.
Moving on to the future, communities recognised that community leadership is not easy, and takes a balance of working alongside, and inspiring others. The most important aspects for the short – to medium term in communities are to support good quality relationships with partners and agencies (as human beings), realistic and responsive forms of funding, and the recognition of the hard work and deep understanding that lies within our community groups, and which can make a real difference to the future of communities.