Learning from Experience. Project Work with Community Groups. A Report of the Communities in Crisis Programme. Occasional Papers Number 17.

This publication reports on Communities in Crisis, a resource and adult education program designed to encourage local community leaders and volunteers to reflect critically upon their experiences and exchange ideas across different towns, cities, and regions in the United Kingdom. Part 1 describes the program and its three aims: sharing experiences, helping with project work, and building knowledge. Part 2 contains edited extracts from 15 project reports prepared by participants between 1983 and 1987. They are presented under three headings, each of which has represented a recurring focus for the preparation of project work in the programs. "Identifying needs and evaluating policies" refers to projects that involved participants in small-scale research investigations and data collection. "Case studies" features projects that focused on descriptions of organizational development and pressure group campaigns. "Reflection on personal experience" refers to projects in which participants use, value, and critically review their experiences of community work. Part 3 is a review of participants' gains; the practical use that has been made of the projects; and guidelines for the organization and planning of project work with community groups. Appendixes include a summary of research to evaluate motivation, study skills, and learning approaches of one group of Community in Crisis and a list of 21 references. (YLB)