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"'The Richard Branson of the social sector.' Libby Purves on Andrew Mawson '[Mawson] combines the conscience of the social activist harnessed to the can-do skills of the modern business shaker.' Independent"
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When Andrew Mawson arrived in Bromley-by-Bow in the east end of London, in the 1980s, it was in a state of social, economic and material disrepair. Living there, getting to know the residents and institutions, he soon realized that by unlocking its untapped potential, the community could begin to turn itself around. The result: the Bromley-by-Bow Centre has encouraged literacy, housing, business, health, welfare and enterprise in the area to flourish. Time and again using the same approach, Mawson has succeeded where the government and others have failed. His inspiring and timely book will demonstrate, through his own experience how, by seeking creative, dynamic, entrepreneurial ways of tackling seemingly intractable social problems, we can all make real changes in our communities.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
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We've heard about the loneliness of a long distance runner, well that's nothing compared to the loneliness of a social entrepreneur. Andrew Mawson is a great comforter - he does things because they are worth doing - a radical and profoundly subversive attitude to the world. Anyone who has rejected conventional employment and material security, to do something they believe in, will love this book.
Mawson describes a familar path of fulfilment and profound frustration. My experience is business- good - charities - bad, I'm so glad that Mawson agrees. If you 'make things happen', you seem to loose the ability to have a dialogue with councillors, think tanks and academics - Mawson explains why. He doesn't use statistics or quote from academic theorists, he just tells stories.
I ran a community website in Paddington and Bayswater for seven years, then I moved to Bournemouth and set up a creative group called BomoCreatives. I shall be urging my fellow members to read this book.
Mawson describes a familar path of fulfilment and profound frustration. My experience is business- good - charities - bad, I'm so glad that Mawson agrees. If you 'make things happen', you seem to loose the ability to have a dialogue with councillors, think tanks and academics - Mawson explains why. He doesn't use statistics or quote from academic theorists, he just tells stories.
I ran a community website in Paddington and Bayswater for seven years, then I moved to Bournemouth and set up a creative group called BomoCreatives. I shall be urging my fellow members to read this book.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
This book is great value. If you're planning to start a social enterprise, or simply want to make life better for those in your neighbourhood, then this is a book for you.
Mawson describes how he made his unique journey from protester to Peer in just a few short years. He challenged the bureaucrats who said no; he proved them wrong then uniquely, went on to win their support. He did what he did, not to prove that he was right, but to prove that what people said they wanted was actually what they needed too!
If you feel you're fighting a losing battle, this book will give you the strength to fight on!
Mawson describes how he made his unique journey from protester to Peer in just a few short years. He challenged the bureaucrats who said no; he proved them wrong then uniquely, went on to win their support. He did what he did, not to prove that he was right, but to prove that what people said they wanted was actually what they needed too!
If you feel you're fighting a losing battle, this book will give you the strength to fight on!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
This book is truly inspirational. Unlike many books about business and entrepreneurship, which are too often all about the theory, are full of soundbites and have little practical benefit to the likes of you and me, Andrew Mawson is someone who has done it and more to the point is able to communicate it in a highly readable and informative style.
Witty and honest, the book charts his account of his experience - warts and all - establishing the Bromley-by-Bow Healthy Living Centre, which gradually over 20+ years has demonstrated how run down areas and deflated communities can change, if only we truly believe in the capacity of individuals and empower them to make things happen, then leave them alone to get on with doing it rather than prescribing how it should be done by textbook civil servants.
Significantly, he identifies how the bureaucratic mindset endemic within the corridors of power, whether that be Whitehall, local government, or even much of the voluntary and charity sectors, with the obsession on process, procedure, policy, 'equity' and 'fairness', has not only undermined the opportunity for wide-scale social change, but actually exacerbated the problems and wasted billions of pounds of taxpayers money. Sobering stuff.
Still, if you really want to make a difference, but think it is all just wishful thinking then this book will make you think again and give you the impetus to get going.
Witty and honest, the book charts his account of his experience - warts and all - establishing the Bromley-by-Bow Healthy Living Centre, which gradually over 20+ years has demonstrated how run down areas and deflated communities can change, if only we truly believe in the capacity of individuals and empower them to make things happen, then leave them alone to get on with doing it rather than prescribing how it should be done by textbook civil servants.
Significantly, he identifies how the bureaucratic mindset endemic within the corridors of power, whether that be Whitehall, local government, or even much of the voluntary and charity sectors, with the obsession on process, procedure, policy, 'equity' and 'fairness', has not only undermined the opportunity for wide-scale social change, but actually exacerbated the problems and wasted billions of pounds of taxpayers money. Sobering stuff.
Still, if you really want to make a difference, but think it is all just wishful thinking then this book will make you think again and give you the impetus to get going.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Essential Reading for those involved in community development
After meeting Andrew Mawson I bought his book in order to understand better the history of his work and the pathways he took. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jonathan
Fascinating, inspiring and brilliant!
After working within the voluntary and statutory sector within housing and with a variety of client groups in homelessness and substance misuse for about ten years I was getting... Read more
Published 22 months ago by M. Jones
Didn't really deliver...
I was really excited about reading this book but after one third of the way into it I realised the initial anecdotes and potential promise of things to come were to continue for... Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2009 by lovesreading
Inspiring Community
In this book, Andrew Mawson tells the inspiring story of the Bromley-by-Bow Centre in the East End of London. Read more
Published on 6 July 2009 by Mr. T. S. Edworthy
A bit preachy
This book is based on the authors experiences of setting up various projects in the Bromley by Bow area of London. Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2009 by Mrs. Fiona Wilton
Social Entrepreneur
If you're interested in Community Development and/or building community capacity this is a great book to remind you that orthodox approaches do have to be the way to succeed. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2008 by Sm Lugg
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