Marjorie Mayo – författare

Originally published in 1977, this lively collection of papers by women involved in community work and community action explores some of the links between the women’s movements and community action at the time, in terms both of the recent developments in women’s thinking and of their practical experience of involvement in community organizations and groups.

The book opens with a theoretical chapter on women’s rights, discussing reasons for the particular involvement of women in a range of community issues such as the housing struggle and the role of women in campaigns for nursery and other pre-school provision, and relates these factors to the women’s movement in general. The contributors go on to consider the organization of women who enable other women to go to work, including a case study of experience of Battered Wives’ Centres, a study of Women’s Aid Centres, a discussion of the Working Women’s Charter and the National Abortion Campaign, chapters by members of groups of single-parent families – Mothers in Action and Gingerbread – and a chapter on working with women in community groups, from the perspective of the community worker.

Many issues are still relevant now, today it can be read in its historical context.

Originally published in 1977, this lively collection of papers by women involved in community work and community action explores some of the links between the women’s movements and community action at the time, in terms both of the recent developments in women’s thinking and of their practical experience of involvement in community organizations and groups.

The book opens with a theoretical chapter on women’s rights, discussing reasons for the particular involvement of women in a range of community issues such as the housing struggle and the role of women in campaigns for nursery and other pre-school provision, and relates these factors to the women’s movement in general. The contributors go on to consider the organization of women who enable other women to go to work, including a case study of experience of Battered Wives’ Centres, a study of Women’s Aid Centres, a discussion of the Working Women’s Charter and the National Abortion Campaign, chapters by members of groups of single-parent families – Mothers in Action and Gingerbread – and a chapter on working with women in community groups, from the perspective of the community worker.

Many issues are still relevant now, today it can be read in its historical context.

What was the significance of community action to the Labour movement in Britain during the 1980s? Ray Lees and Marjorie Mayo explore this question in Community Action for Change (first published in 1984), arguing that the Labour movement needed to revitalize its strength in response to the growing dominance of the New Right. They propose that this renewal could be achieved by developing social values rooted in the social needs often expressed through community action.

Through a series of case studies focused on local community resource centres, the authors examine the contributions, challenges, and limitations of this approach. These case studies address key issues such as employment and unemployment, housing, planning and tenants’ activism, as well as information campaigns.

Lees and Mayo’s analysis of these activities remains highly relevant for shaping future community interventions and broader campaigns, particularly in light of the political climate of the 1980s under a Conservative government.

What was the significance of community action to the Labour movement in Britain during the 1980s? Ray Lees and Marjorie Mayo explore this question in Community Action for Change (first published in 1984), arguing that the Labour movement needed to revitalize its strength in response to the growing dominance of the New Right. They propose that this renewal could be achieved by developing social values rooted in the social needs often expressed through community action.

Through a series of case studies focused on local community resource centres, the authors examine the contributions, challenges, and limitations of this approach. These case studies address key issues such as employment and unemployment, housing, planning and tenants’ activism, as well as information campaigns.

Lees and Mayo’s analysis of these activities remains highly relevant for shaping future community interventions and broader campaigns, particularly in light of the political climate of the 1980s under a Conservative government.

It is vital that we decolonise community education and development – learning from the past in order to challenge current discrimination and oppression more effectively. In this book, Marjorie Mayo identifies ways of developing more inclusive policies and practices, working towards social justice for the future. She also tackles the pervasive influence of the ‘culture wars’ undermining work in communities, including the denial of problematic colonial legacies.

Inspired by movements such as Black Lives Matter and labour solidarity, the book includes case studies from the US, UK and the Global South, outlining the lessons that can be applied to community education and development training and practice.

It is vital that we decolonise community education and development – learning from the past in order to challenge current discrimination and oppression more effectively. In this book, Marjorie Mayo identifies ways of developing more inclusive policies and practices, working towards social justice for the future. She also tackles the pervasive influence of the ‘culture wars’ undermining work in communities, including the denial of problematic colonial legacies.

Inspired by movements such as Black Lives Matter and labour solidarity, the book includes case studies from the US, UK and the Global South, outlining the lessons that can be applied to community education and development training and practice.