The core modules contain learning about key aspects of community engagement theory and practice. Anybody wishing to access CELP learning opportunities should first sign up to these.

They are designed to:

• Underpin community engagement practice in Wolverhampton
• Provide a common point to work from
• Develop common language and understanding of ‘community engagement’
• Improve community engagement practice 
• Help people from different sectors work together better

The core modules are the springboard into the “effective community engagement” talked about in the Wolverhampton Community Engagement Strategy and they continue Wolverhampton’s commitment to improved practice.

In addition to formal learning, the delivery style of the 2 core modules encourages people to work together across sectors, departments and organisations, to learn more about different ways of working and to foster links

On completion of the 2 days, participants on the core modules will:

• Understand the context and hallmarks of the Wolverhampton Community Engagement Learning Programme
• Understand how policy supports their community engagement practice
• Recognise benefits of community engagement
• Understand barriers to community engagement
• Understand the hallmarks of empowering community engagement
• Have an awareness of the complexities, contradictions and tensions in carrying out community engagement
• Understand the value of systematic ways of planning community engagement
• Recognise their own role and development needs in making empowering community engagement happen
• Recognise the value and contribution of reflective practice to their own professional practice
• Recognise different ways of working which encourages empowering community engagement
• Understand how the CELP process works and how they can access what they need

The first step to booking onto Core Modules is to complete a CELP ‘Learning Plan’. This ensures that learning is tied into practice and you are clear about what you want to achieve and how this can happen.

A copy of the CELP Learning Plan can be accessed from the resources section

The CELP recommends that the Learning Plans is completed in discussion with your manager. The Programme also incorporates ‘CELP Supporters’, these are people who have been involved in the development of the CELP and can tell you more about it and/or help you to complete your Learning Plan.

You can contact any of the named Supporters below:

YOW – Stephen Dodd: steve@yow.org.uk
WCVS – Saffi Price: SPrice@wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk
WCC – Bal Dhillon: Baljit.Dhillon@wolverhampton.gov.uk
WMFS – Joy Blakeman: joy.blakeman@wmfs.net
WP – Sam Axtell: Sam.Axtell@wolverhampton.gov.uk
WCC – Jan Hickman: Jan@wton-partnership.org.uk 

The course is intended to be practical and priority will be given to participants who have identified a piece of work to do after completing the course, or who would be willing to work with another colleague to do so.  You will be offered an opportunity to reflect on this with other learners.