When Revd Philip North was tending the spiritual needs of people on an estate in Hartlepool he saw at close range the way a poor community could become self-sufficient.

But in the years since, he argues, the working class has been systematically de-skilled by middle class professionals.

In this provocative talk he argues that top-down meddling has replaced grassroots community-building, and that society is worse off for it.

Four Thought is a series of thought-provoking talks in which speakers air their thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect culture and society in front of a live audience.

Presenter: Ben Hammersley
Producer: Mike Wendling.