Project Scope
Community issues are often complex and deeply rooted, so take the time to thoroughly understand the problem you’re addressing. What is the primary concern you’re responding to? How widespread or urgent is the issue? How do you know the problem exists? Remember that the apparent problem may be a symptom of deeper underlying causes that must be addressed for your project to succeed.
Try the following steps…
Step 2.1: Research!
Spend 10 minutes with your team researching your problem.
EXAMPLE:
23% of Black adults experience common mental health problems weekly, compared to 17% of White British adults
Structural racism, like stop-and-search, is linked to poor mental health in Black communities
Only 6% of Black adults in England receive mental health treatment, compared to 13% of White British adults.
Black men have a 3.2% rate of psychosis, compared to 0.3% in White men
Step 2.2: Problem Statement
Spend 10 minutes with your team writing your problem statement. Use the below skeleton to help!
I am...
(A narrow description of the beneficiary - not you! that highlights their motivation, attributes, and characteristics)
I am trying to...
(desired outcome)
But...
(Problem or barrier)
Because...
(Root cause)
Which makes me feel...
(emotion)
TOP TIP!
✔️ Go Narrow! Be really specfic about your demographic.
Example:
I am a young Black man in South London who faces daily pressures, including racial profiling and discrimination. I am driven to succeed, but I often struggle with untreated mental health issues due to a lack of culturally relevant support.
I am trying to improve my mental health and access resources that resonate with my experiences and identity.
But I face stigma in my community, and mental health services are often not designed with my cultural background in mind.
Because the mental health system lacks adequate representation of Black therapists, and systemic issues, like stop-and-search policies, worsen my mental well-being.
Which makes me feel isolated, misunderstood, and reluctant to seek help.