Max NeillPortland 2014

What is a circle?

• When do we naturally use our own circles?• Who would be in your circle?

• The person at the centre of the circle is usually somebody who has been excluded from accessing traditional support networks (family, community, employment) due to disability, ill health or circumstances

• Circles are a community focussed intentional response to this exclusion

We know circles work.

• Even though circles are very rare, people who lead policy and practice in the UK generally have a circles, or are part of a circle.

• If it’s good enough for them – it’s good enough for everybody!

What makes circles work?• Informal: Not too many rules: purpose of every rule

is to enable inclusion• Mutual: Everyone involved has influence• Diverse: Bringing in people from different

backgrounds and experiences makes circles stronger• Co-production: Power with, not power over• Time: A space to think together. Rounds give

everyone equal opportunities to contribute• Appreciation: Helps us feel able to share learning

How do we develop Circles at scale?

Question the unwritten rules

• Have as few rules as possible• Any rules we do have are designed to help

people be included• No fetishes, no dogmas, no ‘pureness’• The facilitator doesn’t have to be a charismatic

super-skilled ‘guru’, or a selfless saint• Facilitator should be directly accountable to

the circle: including the ability to change the facilitator

“Barefoot” Facilitation

Stripping circles down

• The facilitator doesn’t need to be able to do MAPS and PATH and Person Centred Reviews: Someone else can do that.

• Facilitator uses positive and productive meeting principles to ‘hold the space’

• Facilitators can be: Students, volunteers, 2 hrs a month corporate social responsibility, faith groups

Skills beneath the skillsPCP

PCT

Creating and holding a space where learning can be shared

Supporting Facilitators

TrainingBuddyMentorCoordinatorGroupsiteMaterials

How do Community Circles work?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq_KTpQC1uE

Circles• Circles at the end of life: In a hospice in Buckinghamshire• Circles with people with dementia: in Bruce Lodge• Circles as part of the work of faith communities• Circles as part of the work of a Local Area Coordinator

What difference would the widespread use of circles to help

people have more choice and control in their own lives make to

local communities?

Circles create change:

How can I get involved?Opportunity to Contribute

Become a Community Circles FacilitatorSign up to facilitate the Person Centred Planning meetingsSign up to become a mentor

Opportunity to Connect

Join in the discussions, share your thoughts, talk to people on the social media

Actively Participating Like our comments and retweet.Read the blogs

Having Presence Join us on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Join the Groupsite

Being Present You’re here!

How do I stay in contact?

Community Circles

@C_Circles

www.bit.ly/ComCirclesBlog

www.community-circles.co.uk

Email: helensmith@community-circles.co.uk