The only up-to-date, accessibly written short guide to community development, this third edition offers an invaluable and authoritative introduction. Fully updated to reflect changes in policy, practice, economics and culture, it will equip readers with an understanding of the history and theory of community development, as well as practical guidance on how to do it. This is a key text for all students and practitioners working with communities. It includes: • a broad overview of core themes, concepts, basic practices and key issues in community development; • an analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on community life and well-being, along with the implications for longer-term community support;  • additional brand new content on the pressing issues of democratic decline, social fragmentation and isolation, social care pressures, technological developments and climate change.

"It's an extremely useful publication, which presents some refreshingly straightforward observations, whilst acknowledging the complexity of the politics and the practice. I will recommend it to students". Mae Shaw, Institute of Education, University of Edinburgh "Great book. I really relied on it in class as language was accessible and practical examples connected with the students." Sharon Mallon, Staffordshire University
"A great resource — so well written and informative." Sarah Banks, Professor of Community and Youth Work at Durham University
"The Short Guide to Community Development is a valuable and concise contemporary account of community development." Community Development Journal
"An extremely useful introductory text, which covers all of the essential building blocks for an up-to-date understanding of the practice of community development work in the United Kingdom" Dr Rosemary Moreland, University of Ulster

Alison Gilchrist is an independent consultant who has worked in community development for over 40 years as an activist, practitioner, trainer, researcher and manager. Marilyn Taylor, Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute for Voluntary Action Research, has a long track record of research in relation to community policy and practice and has published widely in this field.