5.2.2 variations in lived experiences

• What is community engagement?

  • People, who live in areas requiring regeneration, know they live in deprived, run-down areas but may not be able, or want, to do anything about it 
• How can variations in community engagement be measured?

  • Local and national election turnout
  • The number of community activities 
  • The number of supported local community groups
  • If an area is more deprived, it is likely to have a weaker sense of community and less engagement
• Why are community groups a thing?

  • Voluntary committees managing local allotments, open spaces and nature reserves, village shops 
  • Powerful and vocal 'NIMBY' (not in my backyard) groups protesting over planned developments, such as new housing, fracking and wind farms 
  • Local charities fundraising to help vulnerable people in the local community (Meals on Wheels, transport to hospitals and friendship groups)
  • Residents of an estate may form a group due to growing inequalities or social issues e.g. to reduce antisocial behaviour 
• What are factors affecting engagement?

  • Globalisation impacts on young people due to the wider cultural influences they experience (social media, music, food, fashion)
  • Some people (e.g. young people, ethnic minority groups, and the poor) can feel that a place does not represent them, leading to a sense of exclusion and marginalisation 
  • This can result in the clustering of groups e.g.
  • High-income, elite professionals cluster together
  • Low-income social groups, dominated by low-skilled services jobs, cluster together