Dudley’s MASH Labfacilitating creative collaboration between

communities and Dudley Council

The final 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

Feedback from participants

Some feedback from participants about applying the first version of the template for collaboration was captured

“It was interesting in terms of trying to apply a task to the template (model) as we know there are already constraints around the project. I found that quite challenging - in a good way - it makes you think harder about what you’re doing - it’s not how I would have approached the project traditionally.”

“The model might fit better with something more clear and boundaries clear, but it’s useful to look at things in a different way. It could help to define some boundaries.”

“It wasn’t intuitive, not something I would have used myself - but you always learn something from different techniques. I would have done a typical project plan - thinking about constraints and challenges.”

“Maybe the fact it was a little uncomfortable was good - we were pushed to think differently.”

“If MASH can come up with a process that can apply to any idea, would be really good.”

One group had found that being forced to think about collaboration turned their original idea on its head.

Closing remarks from facilitatorsJill Bedford suggested that the template for MASH and collaboration as a means of doing it has something going for it, but needs some work. If it was developed further by people in Dudley for their own use it could provide a really useful mutually agreed format for people to have those conversations.

Jill reflected that there was lots of discussion during the morning session about previous experiences of collaboration and looking at empowering approaches, but the afternoon session felt more uncomfortable for participants. Thinking about how to do things differently is a whole new ball game, it is about changing cultures and doing things

Feedback was captured when groups shared the discussions around their emerging projects

differently. Jill acknowledged that it is challenging trying to do things differently, and recognised that some people don’t have the authority from their organisations to do things differently.

Sal Hampson added that the afternoon session was more difficult for the facilitators too, as it was about participants, people working and volunteering in Dudley doing it themselves, not being directed (that’s the normal way things are done that people are accustomed to).

Next stepsIt was agreed that the next steps following the MASH Lab included:

‣ Project leads to progress activity as appropriate.‣ Anyone interested would be invited to join a group to ensure links between projects

and to consider what is needed to enable collaboration and embed an empowering approach.

‣ The MASH Lab activities and outcomes would be written up, and a blog created to host such resources and share progress with projects.

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