Keith Popple

London is a major global city which attracts a massive influx of capital while concentrating power and wealth in the hands of the few, with many communities suffering housing shortages, poverty and dispossession. How can its diverse communities fight back against exclusionary regeneration projects? This accessible book tells the story of the Voice4Deptford campaign in Southeast London, that has taken radical democratic and creative action to resist the destructive influence of neoliberalism at the community level. It shows how top-down change is challenged and, together with case studies from across London, offers powerful ways forward for other urban communities globally.

London is a major global city which attracts a massive influx of capital while concentrating power and wealth in the hands of the few, with many communities suffering housing shortages, poverty and dispossession. How can its diverse communities fight back against exclusionary regeneration projects? This accessible book tells the story of the Voice4Deptford campaign in Southeast London, that has taken radical democratic and creative action to resist the destructive influence of neoliberalism at the community level. It shows how top-down change is challenged and, together with case studies from across London, offers powerful ways forward for other urban communities globally.

Community work is a unique and important activity that has the potential to help individuals, groups and communities achieve change. This brand new update of an established and acclaimed text explores and analyses different theoretical approaches to community work. Written in a highly accessible style, this book is grounded in practice issues and tackles political and theoretical issues head-on.New to the second edition:Analysis of the work of New LabourConsideration of Coalition government policies, for example, the 'Big Society' project and the impact of budget cutsA new international dimension throughout the text, and an important new chapter on international community workNew definitions of 'community' explored to take into account a diverse populationIncreased emphasis on community work values, skills and challenges Updated pedagogy, including end of chapter summaries and reflective questionsReferences the latest writings in the fieldWritten by an established international expert, this book will be valuable for students on qualifying programmes, practitioners, policy makers and commentators, and those engaged in community work in all capacities."'Analysing Community Work' provided a key text, tackling issues of theory and practice in accessible ways for some two decades. This second edition builds upon the strengths of the first, updating the book to take account of the major changes that have been taking place since then, both in Britain and internationally. Popple’s critical consideration of the impacts of globalization, neo-liberalism, changing technologies, increasing inequalities and increasing concerns with environmental issues will be particularly welcomed. This edition will be essential reading for those who read and appreciated the first as well as for a new generation of readers."Marjorie Mayo, Emeritus Professor of community development, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK "Popple's book was one of the key overviews of British community work when it first appeared in 1995. In the last few years, the need for a revised and updated version has been increasingly obvious and Popple has now obliged. The last twenty years have seen substantial changes in the political, economic and organisational context within which community work operates and Popple has fully reflected this whilst remaining clear about its basic tenets and goals. This is a highly welcome addition to contemporary community work literature."Gary Craig, Professor of Community Development and Social Justice, Durham University, UK

Community is an elusive, imprecise, contradictory and sometimes controversial term. Not only can the term be applied to a geographical area, it is also reflected in people's thinking and feeling as to where they believe a community exists. Despite these contested understandings notions of community are central to ways in which modern public sector services are planned, organised and delivered. This introductory, original text will assist students, practitioners and policy makers establish a clear and informed understanding of the role community has played in the evolution of important public services and why community remains a salient notion in contemporary developments. "An Introduction to Community" will provide readers with an invaluable framework for understanding the wider role of community as well as to how it impacts in the key areas of social work, health, housing and regeneration, criminal justice, education, community development, and youth work and informal education.

How important is the notion of community to skilled social work? This book explores how the concept relates to policy, theory and professional practice. With analysis of contemporary social problems throughout a variety of community settings, this book demonstrates how important community-based approaches are to all social workers today.