Community Coaching: building skills for better homes and places in underserved neighbourhoods.

This report argues that community-led housing needs more than technical advice. Groups require sustained support to build shared values, navigate conflict, make decisions and sustain engagement. Building on the work of the lead author (Dr Bayly) on the psychodynamics of meetings and small groups, it draws on three years of research with residents, facilitators and professionals. The report identifies community coaching as a missing element in the current system. It sets out the role, skills and principles of a community coach and proposes a year-long co-produced pilot to test a scalable model. The long-term proposition is for a national network able to strengthen organisational cultures in community-led place-making, widen participation and improve outcomes for underserved neighbourhoods.