Identidad ambiental 228

Evidence of bridging and bonding social capital can be identified from the data of the interviews. It is important to note that this project finds that bridging and bonding social capital can be found side by side, and it does not show that it is one or the other. Whilst bonding social capital is correlated with RC and reC, bridging social capital is identified by individuals expanding their relationships outside of their respective engagement groups.

For Jane, a member of the tenant movement, she displays bonding social capital with her commitment to acting as a collective within her TRA and her comments that she would not have been as committed and active if it wasn’t for those she was engaged with. She also displays evidence of bridging social capital due to her engagement with KFTRA, the work she has done with councillors and other organisations such as Huddersfield Carnival and fundraising events she has been involved with. Jessica also displays bonding social capital, particularly with her emphasis on her TRA achieving a community and the way her TRA works together; “we love our pie and peas; we do try and have a ‘do’ so that when new people come we can get them all together and they get to know each other”. However, whilst Jessica demonstrates stronger bonding social capital than Jane, Jessica doesn’t demonstrate any bridging social capital, instead choosing to focus on her community. Importantly, whilst the CVs continue to engage, they demonstrate no evidence of bonding social capital. They can be seen as active within their communities to an extent, but engagement is not accompanied by relationships based on reciprocity. Even their

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engagement in the KNH Area Forums does not show any significant relationships that can be viewed as bonding social capital.

For co-optees there is no evidence of bridging social capital. Furthermore, evidence of bonding social capital is limited but can be identified in Charles and Clair to an extent. Charles demonstrates a commitment to his committee doing work outside the meeting rooms on Huddersfield’s night time economy which is interpreted and a type of bonding social capital; something which could be categorised as professional bonding social capital as a result of the environment in which it manifests. Similarly with Claire; she speaks of the “friendliness” of the meetings and speaks positively about them, but this does not appear to develop what could be describe as close relationships. Again, this can be seen as a professional type of bonding social capital.

For members of the REACH campaign, bonding social capital is more apparent. All those interviewed were part of the “core” of the campaign and all demonstrated strong bonding social capital with fellow members of the “core”. Events such as the cycle to London event demonstrated strong bonding social capital between those that were involved as well as comments from members such as Laruen about making many friends who they now see socially such as having drinks at the pub. Comments about the “core” from all members suggested very strong relationships within this core and consistent acts of reciprocity constitutes clear bonding capital. What is interesting about members of the REACH campaign is the bonding capital that they displayed was the catalyst for bridging social capital manifested in a new PTA they set up called Friends of Castle Hall. Friends of Castle Hall is a new PTA set up to bridge the gap between the school and other community actors such as other schools and businesses. “It’s like a much broader support network for the school which involves the community, and businesses, and other people that can get involved rather than just parents. It’s a money raising and social group… to involve as wider group of possible people with a possible interest in the upkeep of Castle Hall. For instance, Norristhorpe football club who do not have enough pitches of their own, can use Castle Hall school fields for training… or local businesses that are interested in sponsoring etc…” It was set up by key members of the REACH campaign and demonstrates how they have converted their bonding social capital into a group focused on bridging social capital. It is important to note, however, that at the time of the interview, Friends of Castle Hall had only had one

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meeting and it was too early to tell whether this would be successful or not. As mentioned above, some of those interviewed had doubts about the future success of this group.

What has been found is that bonding social capital can be identified when individuals

experience sustained periods of RC and reC like Jane and Jessica from the tenant movement and all members of the core of the REACH campaign. Similarly, scrutiny co-optees do

experience a form of bonding social capital, but it is built on professional attitudes and relationships rather than close friendship. Furthermore, Bridging social capital can develop when individuals are enabled to explore the possibilities of their engagement outside their respective engagement groups without being constrained by the group itself.

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