EXERCISE 3

GROUP WORK TASKS

• Structuring – providing structure and boundaries within which the group can work.
• Focusing – ensuring that the group maintains its focus on the task.
• Motivating – encouraging and motivating one another to participate or contribute.
• Mediating – mediating in or resolving conflict situations.
• Caretaking – supporting and enabling people who are experiencing difficulty or stress.
• Reflecting – drawing attention to emotions and feelings that are affecting work relationships.
• Creating – encouraging creativity and originality.
• Clarifying – making explicit what might remain unspoken and uncovering hidden agendas.
• Directing – identifying and assessing progress towards group goals.

Adapted from ‘Helping People Work Together: A Guide to Participative Working

Practices’ by Douglas et al. (1988). National Institute of Social Work

EXERCISE 3

ROLE PLAY – TASK AND PROCESS

The Scenario

You are Local Councillors on the Local Grants Committee of Skintburgh Town Council. You have only £10,000 left in the Grants budget and need to consider a number of applications which are listed below. You need to allocate this money today as any underspend will be clawed back by the Government.

• The ‘Oldies but Goldies’ Pensioners Group has requested a grant to help fund its annual bus run. They get a grant from the Committee every year and fully expect this year to be the same. (Grant Request - £750)
• Skintburgh Stress Management group provide relaxation classes and complementary therapy sessions. They need help to replenish their stocks of essential oils, scented candles, towels and other equipment (Grant Request - £1,000)
• Skintburgh Asian Women’s Group has only four members at the current time but need help with the costs of room hire and crèche for their weekly meetings. (Grant Request - £1,500)
• The Teencrazy Youth Club is the only youth club in Skintburgh.
• They have requested a grant to replace broken and damaged equipment. They received a similar size of grant last year, again for equipment. (Grant Request - £3,000)
• Streetcred Youth Group is a group of youngsters who generally hang around street corners. They have applied for funding to help set up their own youth club. They don’t go to the Teencrazy Youth Club because “it’s boring and has too many rules”. (Grant Request - £1,500)
• Skintburgh Mother and Toddler Group has been running for a number of years. They now need to replace play equipment that has been steadily falling into disrepair. (Grant Request - £2,500)
• Skintburgh Adult Learner’s Group runs in the local Community Centre and desperately needs funding to upgrade their computer suite. (Grant Request - £5,000)

EXERCISE 3

ROLE PLAY – TASK AND PROCESS

EXERCISE 4

COMMUNITY STRENGTHS FRAMEWORK

Adapted from the SCORE framework, Paxton, S. (2009)

The indicators in this framework can be used to assess the strength and effectiveness of communities. They are split into 4 main sections as follows:

Building Organisation:

The development and activity of community groups and organisations and how well they work in the interests of the community.

Key factors are: leadership and management; resources and assets; links and networks; involvement and inclusion; effectiveness; recognition; accountability and legitimacy.

Building Skills:

The ways in which groups can build the skills, knowledge and confidence of the members to enable them to be effective in achieving their aims and to fully participate in and benefit from community activity.

Key factors are: confidence and morale; assessment; planning; learning; influencing; engaging/involving.

Building Equality:

The extent to which community and voluntary groups are inclusive, and work to build equality in their communities.

Key factors are: conflict and cohesion; involvement and inclusion; bonding activities; bridging activities; inequalities in status/access; barriers and opportunities

Building Involvement:

The extent to which community organisations encourage local involvement and influence decision making and change.

Key factors are: understanding need and issues; breadth of participation; democracy and legitimacy; agenda control; influence on decisions; participation in delivery.

1. What did you learn from today’s session about groups?

2. Think of groups you have been in – e.g. parent and toddlers, work group, support group, study group etc. What were the key areas of strength and weakness in these groups and how could their operation have been improved?

3. How did you find the session today?

4. How did you feel you contributed to today’s session?

5. Do you feel you have any particular strengths or areas for improvement?