Dudley’s MASH Labfacilitating creative collaboration between

communities and Dudley Council

The fourth 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

Using a template to develop our approach to collaboration Facilitators Sal and Jill from changes provided a template to act as a prompt for discussions about what we would need to do in order for our collaborative activities to be carried out in empowering ways. The left hand column of the table below was provided in the template. The right hand column are additional key ideas developed in the MASH Lab.

From the Community Empowerment Dimensions...we collaborate in ways which

mean that:

From MASH Lab participants... we collaborate in ways which mean that we:

• We recognise and increase the skills, knowledge and confidence of others.

• We recognise our own skills. • We recognise when we have

something to offer - and when we don’t

We are Confident

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

• Are able to disagree and negotiate solutions

• See mistakes as opportunities for learning

• Are open to being challenged (to change our perspective)

• Are transparent • Have confidence in one another’

capabilities, competencies and gapsWe are Confident

• We recognise and value difference• We promote equality of opportunity • We promote good relations between

individuals and groups

We are Inclusive

• Are all unique• Recognise that difference is positive • Recognise, value and use these

differences to attain best possible outcomes

• Will 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

We are Inclusive• We encourage shared learning • We bring people together collectively:

physically and/or virtually• We encourage and value group

working and experience• We communicate effectively

We are Organised

• 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

We are Organised

• We promote the value of long term collective change

• We seek creative, complementary approaches

• We know what we bring to a collaboration

• We build on the assets of others

We are Cooperative

• 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

We are Cooperative• We know that what we do makes a

difference, to individuals, to organisations and communities

• We have a clear focus on broader outcomes and a plan to achieve these

We are Influential

• 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

We are Influential

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