Every community has valuable assets, from local people and their skills to community groups, buildings, green spaces and local networks.
Community asset mapping (CAM) is a way of bringing these strengths together, helping communities recognise what they already have, make new connections and identify opportunities to improve their local area.
It is an important part of our asset based community development (ABCD) approach, which puts communities at the heart of shaping their own futures.
How can community asset mapping help?
Community asset mapping brings residents, town and parish councils, voluntary organisations and local partners together to:
- identify local skills, knowledge, community groups and physical assets
- build relationships and encourage greater community involvement
- ensure a wide range of voices are heard, including people who may not normally participate in local decision-making
- recognise local priorities and opportunities for community-led action
- help communities develop their own plans and projects.
Connecting communities with local decision-making
Community asset mapping is more than producing a map. It is about building relationships, strengthening community connections, and giving local people a stronger voice.
The information and relationships developed through asset mapping can help inform community area partnerships (CAPs), ensuring that local priorities and decisions reflect the strengths, needs and aspirations of the communities they serve.
It can also support our work with health partners through the development of health neighbourhoods, helping to identify opportunities for local action to improve health and wellbeing, prevent ill-health and reduce inequalities.
Our community asset mapping toolkit
We have developed a practical toolkits and guides to help town and parish councils and community organisations undertake asset mapping and build on the strengths within their communities.
The toolkit includes guidance and resources to support local conversations, identify community assets and develop community-led action.
- A guide to ABCD in East Hampshire (pdf 2.9 mb)
- ABCD Asset mapping guide (pdf 2.8 mb)
Community asset mapping in action
We have been working with communities in East Hampshire to test and develop our approach to asset mapping, including pilot projects in Horndean, Four Marks and Medstead.
These projects are helping us understand how communities can build connections, identify opportunities and take action on the things that matter to them.
We will share examples and learning from these projects as the work develops.
For further information or support with community asset mapping, please contact our Community Development Team at community@easthants.gov.uk.