Focus on strengths
January 11, 2017
<p>Last September, Scottish Government published its statistics recording where the highest (and lowest) levels of multiple deprivation can be found in Scotland. <a href="https://jamestrimble.github.io/imdmaps/simd2016/">SIMD</a> data is very precise and highly accessible and as a result those communities with the highest levels of disadvantage were quickly identified by the press. Being labelled a ‘poverty blackspot’ does nothing for an area’s self-image and ignores so many of the strengths that every community posesses. Andy Milne at SURF proposes a counterweight to SIMD which focuses on a community’s assets and aspirations – SIMAA. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>