ADEPT Community Development Agency

Community Safety

Working in Community Organisations (WICO)

People working with local communities need the drive and determination to want change and the skills to achieve it.  Adept’s Working in Community Organisations (WICO) course develops all the knowledge and skills people need to make community action happen.

WICO is a distinctive combination: it is a comprehensive package of skills for people working in commnity organisations whether as leaders or advisers; and it is based on detailed and up-to-date expertise in community development and capacity building. It was originally written in 1993 by ADEPT’s  Community Development workers on the basis of what they knew that communities were asking for.  Adept’s experience in community-based projects and consultancy ensures the WICO course is kept updated with all the latest in best practice, theory and funding information.

One of the most comprehensive and best established courses of its type in the country, it has been accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) since 1994.

The course is taught in an interactive and supportive way which builds on the learners’ own experiences of community development using case studies, practical work, role play, peer learning, and discussion groups.

 Who is it for?

The WICO course is ideal for people working—or interested in working—within community sector organisations like community workers, resident volunteers, and trustees. In line with the view that much is to be gained by helping practitioners and communities to learn to work together WICO can include in one room people from the community and people from major regeneration organisations.

Details and level of study

Made up of modules or subjects (see list below), the complete course can be studied over 20 weeks. Alternatively, each individual module can be delivered on a workshop basis. Courses can also be tailored for the needs of particular groups.

WICO covers three areas

• community development
• enterprising skills to help set up and run a community group
• personal skills development 

The individual modules are:

Understanding Community Development and Capacity Building
Defining community – what it means to whom.
The 4 sectors: Private, Public, Voluntary and Community.
The range of issues that affect communities 
Defining Capacity Building and Community Development
Case studies of successful and unsuccessful groups
Diversity and inclusion
Empowerment

Governance in Community Organisations
The roles and responsibilities of Trustees/Management Committee Members
Responsibilities to funders, and 3 regulatory bodies.
Why have a constitution and what should it include?
Committee Officer roles and responsibilities.
Charitable status and companies limited by guarantee.
Forms of governance - the 4 legal structures.
Charity Status pros and cons.

Marketing and Communication for Community Groups
Internal communication:
Group Roles, committee skills, working in groups and teams, putting your point of view across. Good and appropriate communication. Barriers to effective communication.

External communication:
Identifying your target audience, developing your corporate image. Preparing effective publicity – flyers, posters, radio, press releases, etc.

Partnership Working Skills
Identifying Partner organisations
Finances – where they come from and go to
Introduction to initiatives such as SRB, NDC, Local Strategic Partnerships, Neighbourhood Renewal, etc.
Partnership working skills
Decision making – the process and how to influence it

Project Managing Skills
Considering needs and opportunities
Understanding how to develop a project plan
Practical considerations when managing a project (with reference to equal opportunities, disability, and public access)
Managing Finances
Project monitoring
Problem solving
Reporting and evaluating
Fact Finding, Planning and Fundraising
How to produce Community Profiles
Analysing the effectiveness of an organisation
Drawing up Proposals and Applications: Pro-formas and role-plays
Identifying sources of funding which match your project’s objectives
Writing a project proposal
Drawing up a Business Plan and Cashflow Forecast
Fundraising Strategies and Skills

Community Safety
Different approaches to crime reduction
Key agencies involved in crime reduction and community safety
The 1998 Crime & Disorder Act
Methods used in Crime & Disorder Audits and Strategies
Identifying partnerships
Existing methods of community involvement by the Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs)
Barriers to community involvement
Developing methods of community consultation
Understanding the role of Youth Offending Teams and youth crime prevention strategies
Links with other young people-centred initiatives
Methods to address anti-social behaviour
The increased involvement of young people in crime reduction

Click here for more information on Community Safety training.

Developing Personal Skills
This broad ranging module can cover matters such as confidence building, recognising conflict and dealing with it effectively, defining different types of behaviour, for example assertive, passive, aggressive, manipulative. How to be more assertive. Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication.

Administering Office Systems and Procedures
Considers issues such as good practice in handling money including basic book keeping skills and setting up a petty cash system;
Working with agendas, meetings and writing minutes and reports;
Formal and grant letter writing
Report writing
Using IT
Health and Safety

Each module offers accreditation at OCN levels 1, 2 and 3.

We deliver this full WICO course through Coventry University where professionals can attend 12 weekly sessions and gain a university certificate. Click here for more information on the Coventry University course.

ADEPT Community Development Agency
3 Market Way Coventry CV1 1DF Tel: 024 7623 0606 e-mail: info@adept.org.uk