The network effect

When knowledge becomes practice and practice amplifies to create impact!

Life in the UK seems to be characterised by complex issues and difficult moments every week. Politics that moves faster than the problems it’s supposed to solve drowns out important achievements, global conflict impacts the cost of living and how everyday people can afford to support their families and live their lives. Overstretched public services and rising frequency of violence on our streets (often stoked by external influencers locally or digitally) erodes trust in our neighbours and institutions, leading to more fractured communities (sometimes this is reality, often it’s only perception).

This 18 month review, shows the impact of betting on local people. Investing in grassroots leaders and supporting them to build trusted, connected relationships with each other.

For the last 5 years Jones Consulting has been partnering with Violence Reduction Units in Leicestershire and West Yorkshire to build leadership capacity via #TheCommunityLeaderProgramme. After leadership development, comes something harder to manufacture: trust. Community members who stay connected and build trusted networks based on shared values and purpose.

Community Leaders West Yorkshire (CLWY) is a network of leaders across West Yorkshire who have been working collaboratively for the last 2 years to make a real difference in their communities. Here’s what their experience has taught us:

Trusted relationships before structure — Whilst it’s nice to have a formal constitution, the network doesn’t really need one. Humans have a need to be heard by each other and to stay connected.

Leaders grow in conversations, not in training rooms — Coaching has supported deep personal development, creating reflective space for people working on the frontline.

Funded stewardship is infrastructure, not admin — The difference between a thriving network and one going quiet is someone paying attention and holding the relational infrastructure quietly in the background.

We’re still learning what this model can do. You can read more about the impact of the last two years at www.clwy.org.uk or take a look at our Annual Review infographic above. If you’re commissioning community safety work, running a VRU, or leading locally and wondering whether this approach could work in your context, please reach out.