Encouraging Participation

This lively event looks at practical tools and techniques for working with local people and gaining their involvement.  It will provide an overview of participation theory, current practice and why it is important - especially in funding rounds. It will give you the confidence to use a range of practical tools, techniques and approaches for working with and involving communities, enabling you to help build community input and ownership. The event is primarily aimed at staff working with communities, such as New Deal for Communities, environmental improvements, Neighbourhood Renewal, Housing Officers with residents’ associations and in NGOs. However, many of the techniques and processes can also be used in meetings and events with business, public and voluntary sector staff, as well as with volunteers.
 
OBJECTIVES
 
By the end of the event you will have:
• Reviewed current participation theory and practice
• Been introduced to a range of tools and techniques
• Gained knowledge of when and how to use these tools
• Examined how to ‘adjust’ tools to suit various situations
• Looked at examples of practice
• Worked through a few practical techniques
• Looked at how to put different processes together to form a consultation process or event.
 
THE TUTOR
Doug Gleave is an experienced, innovative consultant and trainer who has worked in the environmental movement for over 17 years, including 14 years for ETN. Doug’s community involvement experience has evolved over the years, as have his presentation techniques, which include humour, challenge and developing options for local engagement. Recent work has included the Doorstep Greens programme, NRF funded projects in social housing, capacity building local groups community resources and recently (through UCL) a Housing Corporation consultancy (’05) and mentoring students evaluating resident’s reactions in a North Kent housing estate (’06) being demolished and rebuilt.
 
THE VENUE
Based in the Gillespie Park Nature Reserve, the Islington Ecology Centre was purpose built to ‘environmentally friendly’ standards to provide both a visitor and an education centre.  It is easily accessible by public transport, being only a few minutes walk from Arsenal tube station, ten minutes from Drayton Park/Finsbury Park railway stations and serviced by several bus routes.  Bike racks are available and there is limited parking outside the centre.  A location map will be sent out with joining instructions.  Refreshments and a buffet lunch are provided within the course fee.