Community Development
Thriving and connected communities
As community development consultants, we work at the cornerstone of where community meets industry and help shape each sphere for the betterment of all. Through community engagement, community development design and policy design, we work to build a community’s capacity and make communities more attractive for people to live, work and play in. Because a community that is resilient, self-sustaining and cohesive is one where no one is left behind.
Case Studies
Supporting the health and wellbeing of the Bundaberg community
IMPACT Community Services (IMPACT), a Bundaberg-based community services organisation, engaged Sparrowly Group to develop a strategic plan to address issues around financial security and their market positioning. IMPACT offers services focusing on the NDIS, health, mental health and employment and own and operate a number of social enterprises in the region.
OUR APPROACH
We commenced with an audit of IMPACT’s service offerings, client groups and team structures, an analysis of revenue and expenditures and a review of the use of government funding options.
This was followed by a period of extensive stakeholder consultation including with IMPACT’s clients and internal and government agency representatives in conjunction with a review of the external operating environment.
In collaboration with IMPACT’s executive team, staff and board we then used these insights to develop a series of strategic solutions and a prioritised action plan.
IMPACT
The strategic plan is being executed by the IMPACT team and has resulted in improved client experiences and diversified revenue streams.
Since executing the plan, IMPACT has expanded its services to allied health services in the Discovery Coast Region (Agnes) and has seen their social enterprises thrive. IMPACT’s Material Recycling Facility for Bundaberg Regional Council has been extended employing many more people with disability (see video) and their New Image Laundry has been expanded to servicing regions outside Bundaberg (see video).
Building stronger regional communities
The $2 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is the cornerstone of the NSW Government’s investment in regional NSW. Its objective is to provide funding for projects that facilitate regional development and to deliver new and upgraded local amenities in every corner of regional NSW. RGF was designed to drive long-term economic growth, create jobs in regional areas and build stronger regional communities.
The Department of Regional NSW engaged Sparrowly Group to highlight the immediate and long-term cumulative impacts of investment made through the RGF.
OUR APPROACH
In the first phase of this project, we developed an overarching narrative that provided us with an understanding of the cumulative impact of the RGF. From a quantitative perspective, we undertook a cost benefit analysis and economic impact analysis of the RGF’s investment.
From a qualitative perspective, we obtained an understanding of the on-the-ground benefits to key regional cohorts by consulting with local government representatives, such as council general managers, economic and community development teams as well as community organisations. We focused our information gathering on three economic regions selected as a diverse representative sample of regional NSW.
IMPACT
Once we had gained a clear view of the cumulative impact, we identified a series of opportunities that would improve and leverage previous investment. The goal was to ensure a lasting RGF legacy to continually contribute to the ongoing development of stronger regional communities. In addition to our impact study, we led a series of co-design workshops to solidify these opportunities.
We developed these opportunities into a practical and strategic implementation framework for the Regional Development teams across NSW to use collaboratively with stakeholders to identify, transform and realise future potential and impacts.
Image credit: Department of Regional NSW
