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Question 1
1.1. Describe the concepts community work and community.
Concept of Community Work
Community work is a method of intervention within the field of social work that focuses on initiating
and managing change at the macro level of society. It is recognized as one of the primary methods of
social work practice in South Africa, operating on a large scale to influence communities and
institutional structures. Community work involves working in and with communities to facilitate
participatory processes that encourage empowerment and collective action. Social workers in this
context act as facilitators, helping communities to identify their needs, mobilize resources, and
implement strategies that bring about social change. This method aims to improve social functioning
by addressing the interaction between individuals and their environments and by working toward
social reform and an improved quality of life.
Objectives and Approaches in Community Work
The purpose of community work is to mobilize communities through a structured and planned
process that encourages them to use their own resources and systems to solve problems and achieve
desired outcomes. Various practice models are used within this method, including community
development, social planning, community education, social marketing, and social action. Two main
approaches to community work are identified: the community-centred approach and
community-based work. The community-centred approach serves as a strategy to change conditions
by working with and for communities to ensure access to services and resources, often involving
political or social advocacy. In contrast, community-based work refers to providing direct services
within the local community for the immediate benefit of its members. The distinction between
community work and community development lies in their scope; while community work is
sector-specific and focused on psychosocial issues, community development spans multiple sectors
and aims to enhance the overall quality of life across various areas of community life.
Concept of Community
The concept of community is broad and multifaceted, encompassing various definitions based on
identity, geography, shared interests, or functions. A community can be defined as a group of people
connected by a shared sense of purpose, values, beliefs, or location. It may take the form of a
geographic area, a group with common interests, an organization, or even a virtual platform. What
characterizes a community is the presence of meaningful interactions and relationships that shape
expectations and behaviors among its members. Communities are not static; they are dynamic
systems that evolve in response to internal and external forces, including political, psychological,
cultural, and economic factors.
Dimensions and Structure of Communities
Communities are composed of various dimensions: social, spatial, functional, and cultural-symbolic.
The social dimension involves people and their formal and informal relationships. The spatial
dimension refers to the physical or geographic space occupied by the community. The functional
dimension covers the roles and services the community provides, such as employment, education,
public safety, and political participation. The cultural-symbolic dimension relates to shared meanings,
values, and traditions. Identifying the boundaries or demarcation of a community is essential when
planning community work, and this can be based on one or multiple dimensions, depending on the
context and objectives.
Question 1
1.1. Describe the concepts community work and community.
Concept of Community Work
Community work is a method of intervention within the field of social work that focuses on initiating
and managing change at the macro level of society. It is recognized as one of the primary methods of
social work practice in South Africa, operating on a large scale to influence communities and
institutional structures. Community work involves working in and with communities to facilitate
participatory processes that encourage empowerment and collective action. Social workers in this
context act as facilitators, helping communities to identify their needs, mobilize resources, and
implement strategies that bring about social change. This method aims to improve social functioning
by addressing the interaction between individuals and their environments and by working toward
social reform and an improved quality of life.
Objectives and Approaches in Community Work
The purpose of community work is to mobilize communities through a structured and planned
process that encourages them to use their own resources and systems to solve problems and achieve
desired outcomes. Various practice models are used within this method, including community
development, social planning, community education, social marketing, and social action. Two main
approaches to community work are identified: the community-centred approach and
community-based work. The community-centred approach serves as a strategy to change conditions
by working with and for communities to ensure access to services and resources, often involving
political or social advocacy. In contrast, community-based work refers to providing direct services
within the local community for the immediate benefit of its members. The distinction between
community work and community development lies in their scope; while community work is
sector-specific and focused on psychosocial issues, community development spans multiple sectors
and aims to enhance the overall quality of life across various areas of community life.
Concept of Community
The concept of community is broad and multifaceted, encompassing various definitions based on
identity, geography, shared interests, or functions. A community can be defined as a group of people
connected by a shared sense of purpose, values, beliefs, or location. It may take the form of a
geographic area, a group with common interests, an organization, or even a virtual platform. What
characterizes a community is the presence of meaningful interactions and relationships that shape
expectations and behaviors among its members. Communities are not static; they are dynamic
systems that evolve in response to internal and external forces, including political, psychological,
cultural, and economic factors.
Dimensions and Structure of Communities
Communities are composed of various dimensions: social, spatial, functional, and cultural-symbolic.
The social dimension involves people and their formal and informal relationships. The spatial
dimension refers to the physical or geographic space occupied by the community. The functional
dimension covers the roles and services the community provides, such as employment, education,
public safety, and political participation. The cultural-symbolic dimension relates to shared meanings,
values, and traditions. Identifying the boundaries or demarcation of a community is essential when
planning community work, and this can be based on one or multiple dimensions, depending on the
context and objectives.
