Case study – Magic of the thinking pair The aim was to set up a series of evening events where they would asked to identify and prioritise the problems in the area and give their opinions on what action was needed. The views expressed at the events would be used to develop an action plan for the neighbourhood to which the Council, its partners and local people would be signed up and then monitor progress. When you run meetings for the public, the greatest challenge is to overcome their cynicism and distrust of what will happen either based on previous experience or hearsay. So many times, consultation processes are boring, confusing, laden with jargon and worse still designed so most of the time people are talked at rather than listened to. Even the layout of the room with its theatre-like rows and Powerpoint projectors help reinforce the common view that it is simply a ‘tick box’ exercise. It is possible to use the element of surprise by choosing a light and airy venue, setting the room out in a welcoming, circular layout; inviting people to state their names so that you can address them personally and asking them, in a simple word or phrase, to say what they would like the event to be like. Each person is given high quality attention. The welcome to the event can also be combined usefully with an honest admission that one of the aims is to reverse their likely negative expectations and provide them with something different, Scene setting should be brief, to the point and in plain English and as soon as possible the ‘thinking’ should begin. If the aim is to find out what the problems are in the neighbourhood then that is probably the best question to start with. As many people find big events quite daunting, it can help to invite people to initially have a thinking pair with the person next to them. If possible, it can help to split up friend and families albeit they will still be physically sitting near one another and to treat any facilitators or speakers as just one of the audience. A short 2 minute think each way on the topic. It always helps to invite people to offer a short appreciation to their ‘thinking partner’ – it lightens the mood, people giggle shyly but they always do it and feel better for it!. Each thinking pair builds more safety and can serve as preparation for very useful small group work when people can share views and identify similarities and differences. It can be especially helpful, when you invite people to think about what they want their neighbourhood to look like in the future – watching an eleven year old thinking with a seventy-year old fellow resident and sharing their dreams for the place where they live is truly magical! |
"The unofficial aim was to gain people's ownership of the problems." "All were listened to with equal attention." "Nearly always more people come back next time." "This buoys them up to stretch their aspirations." |
 |
T 01634 268882 M 07836 255778 E judy@judyoliverandco.com |
 |