The importance of the community and its resources

This paper examines the concept of community, and defines it in terms of boundaries, shared needs and social interaction. It considers types of community and the functions they perform. After discussing different community resources the paper concentrates on the resources of authority and legitimation, which may be achieved by the use of client involvement and general community representation. An empiric test of the connection between client representation and effectiveness is used to illustrate the value of involving clients, their families and other community representatives in community services such as home care.