Using a ‘speed-networking’ technique, participants got to know one another by spending five minutes in different pairs talking about a) the best thing that they had made happen; b) the skills and strategies they use to bring about change; and c) how others perceive the work they do. Through three rounds of quick-fire animated conversations, people told one another about the work they are doing that is making a difference to community life in Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath. This revealed a strong need to create some kind of shared platform or local forum for showcasing the amazing work happening in our ‘anchor’ neighbourhoods. Having this kind of common space could provide regular and accessible opportunities for people to connect, learn together, collaborate and improve their practice.
The next session compared views and experiences across the four different cities, highlighting key characteristics and priorities. It was interesting to see the similarities in understanding what hindered and what helps to get things happening and some common issues emerged across the cities, notably the importance of resources, making connections, listening well and having positive attitudes. This was followed by a chance for participants to share some of the photos taken over the past few weeks that captured hindering and enabling aspects of the SUIs’ practice. This was a really enjoyable session (see our recent blog on photovoice) revealing passion, pride and appreciation for the work that SUIs are doing in their communities. For many, it proved to be the highlight of the day, offering a valuable opportunity to ‘voice’ their views, reflect on their own practice and ask questions about the work of their fellow SUIs and the co-operation partners.
In particular, the exercise provided an excellent opportunity for people to talk about why their work mattered so much and to highlight the changes they want to make. Some participants noted that the photovoice exercise had forced them to focus on their own practice, while others felt it had encouraged them to reflect on their work from different perspectives. The photographs also revealed the hard choices they are forced to make due to funding restrictions and how this creates dilemmas about deviating from their original or main mission.
In addition, the Local Lab provided a chance to hear about the initial findings emerging from the first round of shadowing. This generated interesting discussions about whether participants could ‘recognise themselves’ in this preliminary analysis. Everyone found something they could identify with and many spoke about the difficulties of balancing paid and unpaid work. The need for efficiency was a key topic, with participants stressing the importance of getting things done immediately as a tactic for managing competing demands on one’s time.
The Local Lab concluded with preparations for the first transnational event planned for Glasgow in September. Broadly speaking participants are keen to find out how their counterparts in other cities are addressing similar challenges and to learn about ways of working in communities that they may have in common. These exchanges are vital to the co-enquiry process and embody the project’s concern with reciprocal learning across boundaries and borders between countries, sectors and different practice traditions. At the end of the day many of the SUIs exchanged contact details and left the room eager to follow up on the new connections they made. Overall it was a resoundingly successful lab with lots of data collected, aided by plenty of tea, coffee and a healthy serving of cake!
