While community development is frequently referred to by the voluntary, public and private sector, an emphasis amongst funders on instant outcomes has made community development practice difficult to sustain. Which is why resources supporting community development practice are important. Community Development Foundation recently published a useful study of community development and mental health.

The report 'Connect and Include' examines the contribution of community development practice to mental health.

• Exploring how community development practices, community groups and activities can improve mental health and challenge social exclusion
• Identifies the outcomes of these community development practice relating to mental health
• Shows how a community development approach can contribute to individual recovery from mental ill-health and encourage community involvement
• Helps you learn from the experience of practitioners who know what works in this complex field
• Provides lots of examples to help you develop and evaluate your own work
• Offers recommendations to practitioners, managers and commissioners on how to possibly introduce, improve and support community development approaches within the field of mental health

The report explains how a community-focused approach can promote mental well being and reduce ill health in communities. 'Connect and Include' describes the concept of ‘recovery’ with an emphasis on gaining control, good relationships and personal fulfilment. According to the report ‘community well-being’ is described as a situation where communities are thriving, with many connections between individuals, groups, institutions and services, creating a sense of belonging. Well-being for the individual and community are seen to be interdependent. 
 
The report describes community development practice as 'a process which... brings people together to share their concerns and to work together in inclusive ways. It is recognised as an intervention which can reduce race inequality in mental health. It supports community organisations, which help to promote recovery and well-being.' 
 
In practice the report highlights that while community development and mental health practitioners have objectives in common, real tensions in status and approach exist. While healthcare services have to be accountable and in control, community development is an unpredictable and dynamic process. 
 
Download the full report for free.

Download a useful free guide to community development here.