All About People

‘Ello! This week it’s my turn to introduce myself and share some of my thoughts that keep my head busy, my mind curious and my heart open. Working with people has been the theme of my ‘career’ (if I can call my work history that). I trained as a community worker back in the day when ‘community development’ was something that was recognised as a practice and valued as a way of supporting people and communities to step in to their own power and understand their own agency to enact change for themselves, their family, neighbours and friends.

I’m naturally a connector – of people, groups, ideas, projects, anything that would benefit from the connection – because we are always greater than the sum of our parts and I’m constantly curious about what we can learn from really listening to others experiences and ideas. Working together with a common purpose, being open to new ideas and embracing change as a natural part of our personal and professional paths through life brings me great joy. According to some I’m an innovator. Whatever that means?! I think when it’s applied to me it’s because I’m not afraid to speak my truth, to poke at the tricky questions and to explore what really might be possible if we open our hearts and minds to the potential.

I had an email from someone recently, kindly telling me that they would keep us in mind if and when they need to think about involving people.

Whilst I appreciate being kept in mind I’m also reminded that people’s perceptions of ‘involvement’ are incredibly limited to it being part of a process, a box that needs to be ticked rather than being the starting place and the continuous process that helps us to understand what’s needed. It’s messy, joyful and draws on the talents of everyone. It’s participatory and needs to involve everyone.

It’s all about the people who make the decisions about what’s needed; the people who write the strategy, policy or plan; the people who commission the service; the people who provide the service; the people who receive the service; the people who need the service. We all need to be in this together and shift from thinking we know what’s best for people because the data answers all the questions, to knowing that we all have a different perspective that is valid and everyone leads different lives that impact on their experiences. We need to shift from ‘doing to’ people, to ‘working with and alongside’, increasingly stepping back to allow the space for communities to take ownership and lead the changes they want to see and feel.  

Involvement is about the data which tells us part of the story. If we recognise the limitations the data has it opens up new windows to explore what that data tells us about the people and communities who are missing from the data. How do we utilise community insight and participation to build a rounder, fuller picture of the problems and issues we are trying to address? Do we share that data with communities in accessible ways to start conversations and be curious about what it is and isn’t telling us?

Involvement is about the conversations we have and how we listen to understand rather than respond. We all go to countless meetings, we listen and we contribute. Usually, we are listening with an intention to respond rather than listening with curiosity. We need to think about who holds the power in those conversations and whether the environment is safe for us to speak our truth and genuinely be heard. To have conversations that matter we need to attend to this.

Involvement needs breaking out of its silo – we need to be rooted in how we work together on everything we do. Understanding the ‘problem’ we’re trying to solve needs input from the people and communities who have direct experience of that ‘problem’. Do they feel it’s a ‘problem’? Do they have other ‘problems’ that are connected? Is it their priority?

Involvement is how we enact change – we involve people with experiences, skills, knowledge and expertise so we can understand things through lenses that we don’t have. It is a fundamental part of any quality improvement, change process, commissioning and providing services. We need everyone – policy makers, strategists, commissioners, front line staff and the people and communities who are meant to benefit to be able to participate together, listening, building understanding, learning and sharing so we all understand the picture more fully and can make better choices and decisions.

Involvement is understanding how we hold the space to have the difficult conversations, the conversations that make us a bit uncomfortable, that challenge us to think differently, in ways that are safe and respectful.

The wisdoms that emerge when we connect with others, who have different life experiences, listening with humility, kindness, thoughtfulness and intention, are gifts that help us to understand where we are and where we could get to if we all worked together.

If we are to create a happier, healthier, more equitable future we need to recognise that we can only achieve this together.

So ‘Participatory Practice’ is how we create the time and spaces where we can truly connect with each other and work together on what matters to us all. It’s about ensuring that every voice is valid and has a contribution to make. It’s about learning to listen with curiosity rather than seeking to respond. It’s about levelling the hierarchy and realising that no matter where we sit in life we are all equal and together we can make a more beautiful life possible for all of us.

This is what we do at All About People so do get in touch and let’s explore the art of the possible together.

I’ll finish with a word about what keeps me going. You might meet Stan or Jim if you join a zoom call with me. Kevin will remain in hiding, he’s very camera shy! They’re my boys; Stan the Staffie, Kevin the grey cat and Jim the Ragdoll (cat). They make me smile everyday, no matter how hard I’m finding things they are always there for me. So I’ll share these pictures of them and hope they bring you a little joy too!