About Us

Community Knowledge · Critical Learning · Collective Action

Community Learning & Development works to develop critical, participatory approaches to learning, research and community development. Our approach is strongly influenced by Paulo Freire: we begin with people’s lived experience and knowledge, use dialogue and critical reflection to explore the wider forces shaping everyday life, and seek to connect learning with practical action. Participation, dialogue, praxis, equality, community agency and collaboration are therefore central to how we work. Our developing programme will bring together community learning, participatory research and practitioner development. This may include workshops and courses on issues that matter to communities; community-led and participatory research; reflective practice, mentoring and professional development; and collaborative projects with voluntary and community organisations, public services and educational institutions. We are also linking with further and higher education institutions, creating opportunities for a genuinely two-way relationship in which academic knowledge and resources can contribute to community work while the knowledge, experience and questions arising within communities can inform teaching, research and wider civic engagement.