Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #126416 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
"'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"

About the Author
Andrew Mawson's career in the social sector has spanned over 20 years. He developed the renowned Bromley-By-Bow Centre in East London and co-founded the Community Action Network in 1998. He is currently involved in developing London's Water City.

Customer Reviews

All the encouragment you need for less than a tenner!
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!

A Great Comfort to Restless Social Entrepreneurs
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.

Making things happen rather than talking about making things happen
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.