Adapting Community Development Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Collaborative Autoethnography of Community Practice in Trinidad and Tobago

The COVID-19 pandemic and the related public health restrictions have had a dramatic impact on the lives of people in communities. Public health measures to contain the spread of the disease led to disruptions in community work as the main activities associated with community organising and community development were traditionally done using face-to-face engagement. This collaborative autoethnography shows how two leaders of community- serving organisations and one social work educator adapted their community practices to meet the challenges caused by the pandemic in the community of St. Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago. The chapter provides insights into lessons learned in community social work practices that counter disruptions brought about by the pandemic in a small island developing state. Findings show how the COVID-19 public health measures (1) widened inequalities in the community, (2) challenged community work, and (3) spurred on collaboration and adaptations to meet people’s need in the community and (4) the implications for community work beyond COVID-19. The model argues for the need to build social capital in communities to address future disasters and disruptions in the Caribbean.