ICA:UK

National Member

About Us

Established in 2000, ICA:UK works nationally and internationally with individuals, communities and organisations to engender a culture of participation. A registered charity, we work through a network of Associates for training and facilitation and with a range of partners both in the UK and Africa.

Our Mission

Our vision is of a just and sustainable world for all, and our focus the developing and sustaining of a culture of participation.

 

For us, a culture of participation is characterised by:

  • People’s voices being heard, differences in people and ideas being both respected and valued, meaningful conversations being held, and plans being informed by different perspectives and owned more widely. Rights are upheld, teamwork is valued.
  • Informed choice of the appropriate level of participation in any given situation.
  • The concept being applied at different levels- whether it is the team leader looking to build their team, the chief executive seeking to improve workplace wellbeing, the local authority wanting more meaningful involvement of the community or service users, the membership director wanting to engage with their members more effectively.

Our Values

  • Shared responsibility- by fostering individual and collective responsibility, trust and honesty to create a sense of belonging.
  • Constant learning- by asking questions of ourselves and of others.
  • Wholeness- by respecting the diversity and uniqueness of individuals and communities, encompassing mind, body and spirit.
  • Making a difference- by making a contribution as part of our individual life journeys and enabling others to do the same.
  • A global perspective-by maintaining a global and historical perspective to provide a context for our actions at the local, national and international levels.

Our Activities

Facilitation Training Programme

We specialise in the ICA’s Technology of Participation (TOP). We work with our team of Associates to provide a schedule of public courses on Group Facilitation Methods open to all as well as in-house training and facilitation services, primarily to the international development sector, UK community and voluntary sector and the UK public sector.

The intent is to contribute towards a culture of participation by developing the skills and knowledge to enable widespread understanding and effective use of facilitation methods and skills. We also aim to inform and encourage the behaviours and attitudes which recognise and value participation amongst the people who use, experience, commission and promote facilitation methods.

Partnerships

We have an ongoing relationship with ICAs and other local, like minded organisations in Europe and Africa, offering support and advice to enable them to develop and grow as key players in local development. In Africa our support can include small grants from our Village Volunteer sponsorship scheme, linking individuals in the UK with partners in Africa and providing funds for the partners’ organisational development. We welcome personal financial contributions to support these grassroots activities. 

Location & Contact

For further information and to contact ICA:UK please visit our website here.