Level 3

Importance of Community Resources

One of the quickest and easiest ways to help with the diverse needs of client’s is to utilise resources available within the local community. These can be based in schools, church congregations, parks, health centres, civic services, libraries, charitable organisations, various support groups, volunteers, leisure & sport centres, social groups, youth clubs, scouts, guides, cadets, free online college courses (Moodle’s), housing associations, charity shops, and more.

All these essential assets can provide help and support with things like Poverty, Food Banks, Financial Advice, Homelessness, Abuse, Loneliness, Depression, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Youth Crime, to name but a few. Often community resources are under used, mainly because people are unaware of them, can’t afford the cost, don’t know how to access them or are unable to travel to them. So, it’s really importance to know the local resources, facilities and amenities that are available which enables practitioners to choose ones that best serve their client’s needs.

Social workers can also take the initiative and develop practical ways to improve community resources by using volunteers on different projects. For example, create a donation centre where certain things like unwanted computers, games and telephones could be redistributed to families who can’t afford them.

Quite a good website is listed below and although it’s an American site, it still has some useful information.
https://pocketsense.com/examples-community-resources     Last checked 22nd June 2020