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What matters enough for me to do something about it?

Date Posted: May 28, 2026.

Finding the treasure: A day exploring Asset-Based Community Development

“More listening to my community and its various parts.”
“Discover what is already going on in my community that is unseen.”
“Empower young people to do things for themselves.”
“Identify the connectors, movers and shakers in our community.”
“Find my local ‘bumping spaces’.” (Read on to find out what this is!)

These were just some of the responses to the question posed at the end of a day exploring Asset Based Community Development (ABCD):
“What now matters enough for me to do something about it?”

Listening, connecting and learning

Friday afternoons aren’t always the most productive time of the week. But at 4pm, as the day came to a close and we reflected on what we would take back into our own contexts, there was an exciting sense of energy in the room.

Around 60 people had gathered in Birmingham - from across the West Midlands and as far afield as Norwich, Bristol, Bradford and the south coast - and many left wanting more:

  • more conversations that prioritised listening as much as talking
  • more input from passionate practitioners
  • more opportunities to learn from each other
  • and, of course, more delicious samosas

Throughout the day:

Together, we had uncovered something valuable - treasure in a church hall in Birmingham.

ABCD day Hodge Hill May 2026 Small

What is ABCD?

Revd Al Barrett, vicar of Hodge Hill Church in East Birmingham (and author of CUF’s guide to ABCD), led the morning session, introducing the core principles of Asset-Based Community Development and how they apply in a church context.

At its heart, ABCD is about seeing communities as gifts, not problems.

Rather than viewing people as:

  • issues to be solved
  • needs to be met
  • or resources to be drawn into church structures
ABCD reflection 2

ABCD invites us to recognise the abundance of gifts already present in individuals and communities.

For churches, this represents a significant mindset shift. It means:

  • moving away from seeing neighbours as potential “bums on seats” or financial contributors
  • letting go of assumptions that people need what the church has to offer
  • instead, recognising neighbours as God-given gifts to be discovered

This approach becomes a journey- a kind of treasure hunt within our neighbourhoods- that changes us as much as it connects us. Rather than fitting people into predefined boxes, we allow ourselves to be transformed through relationships and shared experience.

ABCD reflection 1

ABCD - Where could a local church start?

A simple starting point is to gather a small group of willing volunteers ready to go on a journey of discovery together.

From there:

  1. Go out into your neighbourhood.
  2. Identify “bumping spaces” - places where people naturally gather (e.g. school gates, dog parks, local shops).
  3. Start conversations.



Ask questions like:

  • What do you love about where you live?
  • What challenges do you face?
  • What are your hopes and dreams?
  • What matters enough to you that you would act on it?

Then, follow the energy that emerges.

ABCD in practice

After lunch - alongside more informal conversations over samosas and sandwiches - we moved into smaller workshops led by experienced ABCD practitioners, local leaders and community connectors.

Sessions covered practical topics including:

  • empowering young people through ABCD
  • applying ABCD to mental health support
  • evaluating projects “the ABCD way”
  • leading meetings where all voices are heard
  • exploring ABCD as mission in a time of division
ABCD reflection 3

Bringing what we have

My overall impression of the day was that people came with a spirit of generosity. With an openness to connect, to learn and to share. We each brought our own experience, questions, gifts and challenges: our own treasure. And in sharing it, something multiplied.

I am reminded of the account in the bible where Jesus feeds over 5,000 people because one boy was willing to offer what he had. The challenge for us is not to wait until we have more, but to place what we already carry into God’s hands. To begin with what we have, not what we lack. To look again at our communities and notice the abundance already present.

May we go with open eyes and open hands. May we listen more than we speak. May we recognise the treasure already in us and among us.

ABCD in focus

More resources and reflections from the day will be shared in the coming weeks.

In the meantime check our introduction to ABCD that can be used by individuals or groups

This event was hosted by Revd Al Barrett and the team at Hodge Hill Church, in partnership with CUF. It was made possible through the generous support of the Saltley Trust.