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 history of UK community development is littered with the state's attempts to co-opt it to promote its own interests, however unfair and divisive. This excellent, elegant and easily digestible guide, written by two leading experts, cuts through the mystique to show precisely what community development should and should not be about." Gary Craig, Professor of Community Development and Social Justice at Durham University

"Great book. I really relied on it in class as language was accessible and practical examples connected with the students." Sharon Mallon, Staffordshire University

Marilyn Taylor has extensive experience of research and practice in the community development field. She is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Voluntary Action Research in the UK and Emeritus Professor, University of the West of England.

Alison Gilchrist has worked for over three decades in community development: as an activist, practitioner, trainer, researcher and manager, including several years at the Community Development Foundation. She now works as an independent consultant.