Assets-based, Border-crossing Approaches to Facilitate Youth Engagement and Social Connectedness: Scottish and English Illustrations

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors explore how the establishment of border-crossing networking initiatives can facilitate the building of social capital characterised by trust-based relationships among disadvantaged young people, the police, youth workers, teachers, families and local residents. The authors draw upon small case studies from schools and local communities in Scotland and England, where social deprivation and intense distrust and disharmony between young people and the agents of social control have dominated for many years. The case studies illustrate that, through the dedicated efforts of a small group of professionals and local organisations that place emphasis on what is already present and not absent among young people and in the local neighbourhoods, local networks can be created. These networks enable some initial social bridges to be built between diverse individuals and organisations and for increased trust to lead to wider forms of social glue between previously antagonistic groups. The chapter draw upon the insights from the case studies to make some important inferences about the promotion of open, democratic dialogue among local groups of police officers, educators, young people and residents, the prioritising of local skills, talents and assets, and the building of social capital within disadvantaged communities.