Dudley’s MASH Labfacilitating creative collaboration between

communities and Dudley Council

The third in a series of reports from a MASH Lab event held on 18 July 2012 at INSIGHT House

1. Background to the MASH Lab

2. What is

collaboration?

3. What makes collaborationempowering?

4. A draft

template for collaboration

5. Community wellbeing outcomes

6. Feedback,

next steps and support

Empowering ways of workingInput from changes

Sal Hampson from changes, one of the MASH Lab facilitators explained that people in Dudley have been working with the Community Empowerment Dimensions for seven years. They underpin the Voice framework for community influence which was developed with community networks in Dudley, and they are central to training and support in community engagement in Dudley through engaging together.

Sal explained that despite the terminology, ‘community empowerment’ is not just about communities, it is also about organisational structures and processes being empowering, including inside local authorities.

Community empowerment should be seen as involving far more than just shaping and choosing services and ‘empowered’ individuals do not necessarily mean that

we have empowered communities.

Community empowerment should be happening in a collective, rather than only personal, setting.

Community empowerment should be seen as an integral part of working, as a process which focuses on how we work in empowering ways; and as an outcome – for both communities and agencies; a change which is enduring, which is intended

to improve the quality of life for communities and their environments.

From changes website

Sal explained that community empowerment is about working in ways which empower people – ways which mean that people feel confident, that they – and the groups they are involved in – are inclusive and organised, that networks are formed, are cooperative and support each other and – ultimately – they are influential. These are the 5 Community Empowerment Dimensions which Sal then described in more detail.

The Community Empowerment Dimensions are used in Dudley’s multi-agency engagement work

Confident

By confident we mean working in a way which increases peoples skills, knowledge and confidence – and instills a belief that they can make a difference.

In relation to collaboration this could mean that we collaborate in ways which enable us to recognise our own skills, and the skills, knowledge and confidence of others. We might also recognise when we have something to offer - and when we don’t.

Inclusive

By inclusive we mean working in a way which recognises that discrimination exists, promotes equality of opportunity and good relations between groups and challenges inequality and exclusion.

In relation to collaboration this could mean that we recognise and value difference, we promote equality of opportunity and we promote good relations between individuals and groups.

Organised

By organised we mean working in a way which brings people together around common issues and concerns in organisations and groups that are open, democratic and accountable.

In relation to collaboration this might involve encouraging shared learning and bringing people together collectively (physically and/or virtually). It would involve encouraging and valuing group working and experience and communicating effectively.

Cooperative

By cooperative we mean working a way which builds positive relationships across groups, identifies common messages, develops and maintains links to national bodies and promotes partnership working.

In relation to collaboration this could mean promoting the value of long term collective change, seeking creative, complimentary approaches. It would involve knowing what we bring to a collaboration and building on the assets of others.

Influential

By influential we mean working in a way which encourages and equips communities to take part and influence decisions, services and activities.

In relation to collaboration this might mean knowing that what we do makes a difference to individuals, to organisations and to communities. It would involve having a clear focus on broader outcomes and a plan to achieve them.

What makes collaboration empowering?Group discussions

During the activity a large range of ideas were generated. Groups then worked together to cluster contributions and draw up lists of key ideas for each Community Empowerment Dimension.

Confident: we collaborate in ways which mean that we...

Take a positive view of taking risks in order to be innovative

Are able to disagree and negotiate solutions

See mistakes as opportunities for learningAre open to being challenged (to change our perspective) Are transparent

Have confidence in one another’ capabilities, competencies and gaps

Participants moved around in groups considering each of the Community Empowerment Dimensions in turn and adding their own thoughts and ideas to help shape a template for collaboration.

Inclusive: we collaborate in ways which mean that we...

Are all unique

Recognise that difference is positive

Recognise, value and use these differences to attain best possible outcomes

Ensure that everyone’s knowledge, skills and strengths (assets) are used appropriately

Offer and promote other opportunities for inclusion through sharing knowledge of the bigger picture

Organised: we collaborate in ways which mean that we...Have clarity of purpose/ direction

Take different approaches to communication – feedback and building a network

Identify the resources required - skills, funding, buildings etc

Have a structure for making decisions – accountability

manage time and expectations

have a process for checking progress = for learning & reflection

Have systems for documentation

Keep things as simple as possible – realistic

Are flexible

“The broader outcomes: upskilling, developing

opportunities for individuals & communities”

tweet by Wendy Fryatt, event participant

Cooperative: we collaborate in ways which mean that we...

Have clear, constant communication throughout, underpinned by trust, honesty and openness - partner organised

Will ensure buy in - top down/bottom up also partner organised

Always consider creative ways of working and pooling resources, people, assets

Develop time to reflect, evaluate, plan, learn, embrace structure and reassurance – we are accountable!

Are clear about aims/vision and turn individual competition into cooperative team – do this by being honest and open about own agendas

Influential: we collaborate in ways which mean that we...Have a [collective] strong & clear vision to persuade and involve others & empower them

Know ‘who’s who in the zoo’ – we have access to information, people, organisations

Involve the actual beneficiaries

Respect in all directions

Instil a belief that you can influence

Discuss/identify what we can/can’t influence

Are willing to listen

Learn how influence has been achieved – sharing, tools, process, methods, local authority – community; community – local authority

Exude passion

Educate: citizenship, dispel myths

Know what’s important to influencers

MASH Lab participantsWe are grateful to the following for their participation in the MASH Lab

Andy Wright Dudley MBCBarry Hutchinson Dudley MBCBrendan Clifford Dudley MBCBridget Brickley Dudley Community Partnership Chris Morrey Dudley Community PartnershipDawn Bonnick Dudley MBCDennis Hodson Dudley Community PartnershipDick Jeavons-Fellows Stourbridge RugbyDonna Roberts Dudley MBCFaye Conroy Dudley Community PartnershipGeoff Thomas Dudley MBC Gillian Lloyd Dudley Borough Interfaith NetworkJason Whyley Dudley Council John Cheadle Dudley Table Tennis League /Bromley TT ClubKate Green Dudley CVSKate Warren Public Health, NHS DudleyKatriona Lafferty DMBC Community Safety Team Lorna Prescott Dudley CVSLouise Clarke Dudley MBCMarc Carter INSIGHT for CarersMartin Baines Dudley MBCMatthew Smith Dudley MBCMelissa Guest Dudley CVSMenna Flavell Dudley MBCMike Wood Dudley MBCRuth Heeks Autism Outreach Service Simon Manson Dudley CouncilSue Haywood Dudley MBC - Community Safety TeamTony Laycock Stourbridge Hub & Social TransformationWendy Fryatt Black Country Foodbank

The event facilitators were:Sal Hampson and Jill Bedford from changes and Nick Bird