The work stems from the UK wide, multi-site Common Health Assets (CHA) project led by Professor Rachel Baker (Director of the Yunas Centre Glasgow Caledonian University). The CHA project includes Innovation Zone’s members and Innovation Zone’s partners i.e., the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership, Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum, The Oak Healthy Living Centre, as well 14 other community led organisations across the UK. This specific government policy work was led by Professor Michael Roy at Stirling Management School, University of Stirling, in Scotland.

Using semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 20 non-profit leaders, the study found that government policy can act both as barrier and facilitator at various times. There is often a disconnection between policy intent and the realities of local context. Funding arrangements for community organisations was often dependent on developing and maintaining successful relationships, and there were clear tensions between the pursuit of mission and alignment to government priorities.

The full article is available here.

For more information contact Dr Liam O’Hare