Many of the arts projects Karin has been involved in have had an underlying community development aim. Neighbourhood Impact Arts, Street Space, Making It all had an impact on local communities. It is becoming increasingly clear that arts activities are successful in engaging people on different levels, and can also be used for consultation and evaluation purposes. They can make people aware of their cultural capital and increase cultural wellbeing.

The Chart Partnership

In 2008, Karin was commissioned by the Chart Partnership to evaluate a three-year community development project in the Thames Gateway area. The Chart Partnership, a partnership between Amicus Horizon Group, Hyde Housing Association and Moat Housing Group, set out to deliver a three year community development project in areas of the Thames Gateway where the participating housing associations own housing stock. The formation of this partnership is very unusual due to the depth of the partnership working it involved. The project was very successful.

It is very unusual for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to work in partnership to this depth. The Chart Partnership programme proved that it works, and can bring increased benefits to the communities involved, through sharing of resources, expertise and skills. In addition, it opened up the possibility of the housing associations working with members of the community who were not their own tenants, or who were private housing owners, or in the case of Murston, Romany travellers living on a Kent County Council owned travellers’ site on the edge of Murston.

Much can be gained in terms of community development and community cohesion objectives from working with an entire community rather than just the people who are one housing association’s tenants, which is usually where RSLs focus their community development resources. A full report is available on request.