bpha works to build communitiies in neighbourhoods through Community Development Officers (CDOs).  The CDOs spend most of their time working in those neighbourhoods that have the highest number of our homes.  However, if a genuine need for their support is found where bpha has fewer homes, the CDOs can still get involved.  As community development work is all about bringing people together they work with everyone who lives in that community, not just with bpha residents. 

As well as working closely with residents, the CDOs make links with many other organisations and agencies to help address the matters raised by our residents.  They regularly attend meetings and events run by:

• Parish and urban community councils
• Community safety forums
• District and borough councils
• Learning and education providers
• Other community or wider interest groups

These meetings offer a valuable opportunity for our CDOs to raise awareness of residents’ concerns or needs, to promote solutions and gather support and resources.

The hours that the CDOs spend out and about in our neighbourhoods mean that they can get to know the area and the people who live there very well.  They can be the “eyes and ears” of bpha and may be the first person that our residents talk to on a whole range of subjects!  CDOs act as a link with other bpha staff to make sure that residents can access the information, help and support that they need.

Community development at bpha brings people together to look at issues that are important to them and their communities and work jointly to create positive change.

• Provides opportunities that enable confidence to grow, voices to be heard and skills to develop.
• Delivers realistic and lasting community solutions that encourage people to get involved, feel valued and make a difference.

The aim of bpha’s community development team is to bring people together to create positive change for individuals and communities:

• Increase people’s confidence
• Provide a forum for their views
• Develop skills

The outcome of this is to deliver realistic and lasting community solutions that encourage involvement and help people to feel valued and believe they can make a difference.