ABSTRACT
This chapter is essentially concerned with the "grass-root" partnerships, which provide the essential bridge between policy-planning and bureaucratic action, and the world of ordinary people living their lives. It is becoming increasingly recognized that for urban and neighborhood regeneration programs to be successful requires major changes to traditional ways of making and implementing policy. Hyson Green and Forest Fields are two adjacent and severely and multiply disadvantaged inner-city neighborhoods in Nottingham. The chapter explores the extent to which local residents are involved in social networks and community groups of all kinds, and whether these include people from the local ethnic groups. Community groups vary considerably in size. But, large or small, they usually depend upon the energy and commitment of a minority of active members, who do most of the day-to-day organizational work, and provide the driving-force and leadership that sustains the group.
