Participatory Practitioners for Change

News and Views

Occasionally we will present news items here to keep you up to date with the work - you are most welcome to get in touch and keep us informed of events, initiatives and workshops that you would like advertised here.

Conference on Participatory Video - 10 January 2012

- 18 November 11

The Creative Communities Unit, Staffordshire University and the
Participatory Practitioners for Change PPfC

A one-day conference on participatory video. This conference will be of interest to people working with communities and anyone concerned with issues of engagement and representation.

10th January 2012
11.00 am to 4.00pm

Flaxman Building, College Road, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent

  More:: resource/PinPVprogram.doc
  Further:: resource/PinPVbooking.doc

The People's Budget

- 11 October 11

Hi PPfC
I thought some of the Practitioners might have some ideas for a new campaign that will help community groups win a direct say in how our taxes are used by public budget holders.
Whilst a few councils have been excellent at giving ordinary people a say on how our money is spent there are still massive "deserts" where ordinary people get little or no say. This campaign is about helping groups persuade budget holders that communities have a right to be involved. More information about what we are saying is attached.
Participatory Budgeting is a process that gives local people a say on how public budgets should be spent in our neighbourhoods. It has been tested over 150 times in last decade all over Britain to make the best use of council, police, housing and health money. To be really effective it is locally owned and repeated regularly. Much more information on this is available at www.participatorybudgeting.org.uk.
And to be clear, we are not talking about online "budget simulations" which are consultations exercises that still leave the power with the usual officers.
Many budget holders at schools, councils, social landlords, etc recognise that decisions are better when the people affected by them are involved. So we should be pushing at an open door!
We already have workshops planned for St. Helen's, Dudley, Tyneside, Old Trafford and Ashton-under-Lyne. To ensure at the very least a critical mass in one community organisation are equipped we are looking for community groups to host the workshops. I wonder if you know of a group in who would be up for this? I would be very grateful of any leads you can point me to.
With thanks and good wishes,
Alan Thornton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Campaigns Officer
Church Action on Poverty
Dale House, 35 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 2HF
0161 236 9321 (Tues - Thursday)
alant@church-poverty.org.uk
www.church-poverty.org.uk

Training in Public Participation

- 02 March 11

International Association for Public Participation Training (IAP2)
Certificate in Public Participation Training April 4 - 8 2011

Early bird discount extended to 11th March - book and pay for the April course by March 11th for 10% discount

You have short time left to book at early bird rates for the international Association for Public Participation April training.
Places at our April training event booked before 11th March will attract a 10% early bird discount for the full weeks training. Places also available for the 2 day planning, 1 day communications and 2 days techniques course. Planning is a pre-requisite for the other 2 modules.

The training programme is relevant to people in fields as diverse as:
* Practitioners and consultants working in the fields of public involvement, community engagement or stakeholder relations
* Executive decision-makers in government and private organisations
* Project managers in infrastructure projects
* Elected representatives in local, regional and national levels of government
* Community representatives

The IAP2 Certificate in Public Participation consists of three courses:
* Course 1: Planning for Effective Public Participation (2 days) 4th – 5th April GBP460
* Course 2: Effective Communications for Public Participation (1 day) 6th April GBP 230
* Course 3: Techniques for Effective Public Participation (2 days) 7th – 8th April GBP 460

Where: The Engine Shed, 19 St Leonard’s Lane, Edinburgh EH8 9SD The Engine Shed is a Social Enterprise inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner.

I would be grateful if you could forward this email to anyone you think may be interested - we want to get as many aware of the opportunity as we can!

Further details and the registration form are available at http://HiltonAssociates.fileave.com/IAP2_Certifcate_Training_2011_UK1.do
c
or from Vikki@hiltonassociates.com or online at www.iap2.org under events and training

Taking Part - Call for Papers

- 01 May 10

Subject: FW: Taking Part Conference 2010 Call for Papers


Please find below information concerning the TAKING PART Conference 2010 to be jointly hosted by Goldsmiths, University of London and Southbank
Centre 29-30 October 2010.

We should be grateful if you would circulate these details to anyone who you think would have an interest in contributing


With thanks,
Maria Dumas and Sue Williams
TAKING PART Conference 2010
takingpart@gold.ac.uk
www.gold.ac.uk/taking-part

Centre for Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement
Professional And Community Education (PACE)
Room G12, Deptford Town Hall Building
Goldsmiths, University of London
London, SE14 6NW
Tel 020 7919 7212 / 7904

  More:: Callforpapers.pdf

Exciting opportunity in the North West

- 22 September 09

For the last couple of months I have been working on an exciting project with Smoke Free North West which aims to increase the awareness of young people from the NW, of the negative practices of the tobacco industry (negative practices both in the UK and in the developing world). SFNW is looking to recruit some more freelance support for this work and so I am circulating this email to see if you may know of someone who may be interested. This work is NW based. I would be grateful if you would circulate this through any of your networks, bearing in mind the very tight deadline i.e. midday on Wednesday 30th September 09. Please see below and the attached document for more information

Training in public participation

- 11 September 09

Public Participation Professional Training

Coming to Edinburgh in October 2009, a comprehensive, internationally recognized skills development programme sponsored by Hilton Associates, specialists in engaging people.

The programme material represents over 15 years of research, development and experience by the International Association for Public Participation IAP2). The training will be delivered by trainer(s) licensed by IAP2.

The UK programme provides you with a unique opportunity to learn from practitioners from UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, South Africa and the US. You will experience a well planned, practical and thorough course that will deepen your understanding of the practice, as well as develop your capability to engage the public effectively. The IAP2 approach to public participation is unique and has helped thousands of people around the world.

The UK programme offers 2 pathways – the full 5-day Certificate Course for practitioners and decision-makers, or for those with less time available the 2-day Planning Module offers an abbreviated view of the unique IAP2 concepts.

The training programme is relevant to people in fields as diverse as: * Practitioners and consultants working in the fields of public involvement, community engagement or stakeholder relations * Executive decision-makers in government and private organisations * Project managers in infrastructure projects * Elected representatives in local, regional and national levels of government * Community representatives

The IAP2 Certificate in Public Participation consists of three courses: * Course 1: Planning for Effective Public Participation (2 days) * Course 2: Effective Communications for Public Participation (1 day) * Course 3: Techniques for Effective Public Participation (2 days)

When: October 19th – 23rd 2009 Where: The Engine Shed, 19 St Leonard’s Lane, Edinburgh EH8 9SD The Engine Shed is a Social Enterprise inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner.

The training brochure containing details of the programme, dates, venue, costs and a registration form is available from www.iap2.org or by contacting Vikki@hiltonassociates.com

Comments about the training:

'The IAP2 training was excellent for underpinning our existing knowledge and the programme itself enabled us to work with other public involvement practitioners to try out new techniques' Andrew Moore, Assistant Director of Nursing (PFPI)

'The IAP2 training helped us focus on what we wanted to achieve in the field of Public Involvement and energised us into using different methods and techniques that might stimulate our local communities to participate more fully' Diane Graham, Patient Focus and Public Involvement Manager. NHS Ayrshire & Arran

'I enjoyed learning with Vikki who is passionate about P2 & who is clearly knowledgeable about her subject' Sam Murray

'Enthusiastic & inspires and encourages engagement' Andre Howe.

Training in Public Participation

- 11 September 09

Check this flier for an exciting training opportunity in Edinburgh next month.

Participatory Video for Social Change’, January 21st – 25th 2008.

- 16 November 07

PEANuT, in association with Insight, is hosting an introductory five-day course in ‘Participatory Video for Social Change’, January 21st – 25th 2008.


Who are Insight?

Insight are pioneers in the use of Participatory Video (PV) as a tool for empowering individuals and communities. Directed by Chris and Nick Lunch, Insight have nearly 12 years experience of participatory video work with various groups in the UK and abroad. In the UK, Insight have particular experience empowering young people through positive environmental projects and cultural linking on run-down council estates, as well as helping mental health service users use video as a therapeutic tool for developing confidence and sharing their stories. Internationally, Insight have developed PV as a tool for involving communities in research and development in ways that authentically represent their views and needs, and which deliver positive change. PV can provide marginalised communities with a lasting tool for reaching out to, and truly involving, all parts of a community, as well as enabling the horizontal exchange of experiences and local innovations between communities facing similar problems. Insight have succeeded in getting marginalised voices heard at government level, affecting real change, through helping people produce powerful video messages. To find out more and watch other Insight PV films visit the website: www.insightshare.org


Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so please book early. You can simply fill out the booking form via the download link here
http://northumbria.ac.uk/sd/academic/sas/sas_research/pa/ipv/?view=Standard) and either return it as an email attachment or post it to the address on the contacts page. Alternatively, please email PEANuT
(ge.peanut@northumbria.ac.uk)
expressing an interest in the course, and you will be sent a booking form as an email attachment.

PEANuT IPA2 courses

- 16 November 07

PEANuT IPA2 courses

Who should come on the course?
IPA2 is a course that moves beyond the focus of ‘doing’ PA (IPA1), and considers the use of PA through the entire project cycle, from planning, through consultations, data collation and management, and verifications, to report writing and output production, action planning for implementations, and monitoring and evaluation. As such course participants should have previously participated in the PEANuT IPA1 course (or equivalent), or have practical experience in the use of PA (if the latter, please get in touch prior to booking).

When are the next courses?
Bookings are now being taken for the following course:
• 2nd – 4th April 2008

What's the course like?
The course is run over 3 full days (Wednesday - Friday 9.30 am - 4.30 pm - attendance for all 3 days is a course requirement) and, like IPA1, focuses on learning by doing in a fun, supportive, and safe environment.

How do I book a place?
Further details are available from the PEANuT web-pages: http://northumbria.ac.uk/sd/academic/sas/sas_research/pa/pacourses/ipa2/?view=Standard

- there, you can simply fill out the booking form via the download link and either return it as an email attachment or post it to the address at the bottom of the form.

Forthcoming courses in Participatory Appraisal and Participatory Video

- 16 November 07

PEANuT IPA1 courses

The next PEANuT (Newcastle-based…) 'Introduction to Participatory Appraisal 1' course takes place:

• 14th – 18th Jan 2008

Based over 5 days, the course covers conceptual work (‘what is participation’, levels of participation) and practical skills in an interactive and fun way. Participants undertake street work and pre-arranged group work sessions within ‘live’ placements to ensure they emerge from the course as confident and effective practitioners.

Full details available via the PEANuT web-pages:
http://northumbria.ac.uk/sd/academic/sas/sas_research/pa/pacourses/?view=Standard

Or email ge.peanut@northumbria.ac.uk if you wish to discuss the training

New book about spaces for participation

- 16 August 07

I have been browsing in Spaces for Change? edited by Andrea Cornwall. (Zed Books, ISBN 978-1-84277-553-0) Interesting papers from round the world looking at the important question of "Invited Spaces" and "Free Spaces".

There is one good chapter about work in UK in health services. Many key questions that we wrestle with and ideas for supporting Commissioners. A bit spoiled by academic language in some places (i just don't know what an affective change is). John

Assessing community participation

- 15 August 07

What Works In Assessing Community Participation? Burns, Heywood, Wilde and Wilson, Policy Press. ISBN 1-86134-615-8.

I did not notice this when it came out in 2004. It contains a series of frameworks for looking at community consultations and checklists for improving participation. Interesting "benchmarks" for assessing different aspects of participation. You still need to use your judgement. I find it helpful and I get the feeling that the authors share everyone's nervousness about tools as solutions. John

The PPfC website is active

- 02 April 07

I am very pleased that this site is now active. It will be really exciting if we can use it well.

I have just uploaded one of my favourite photos. It shows how parents of children in a Sure Start program travel around. Men were given blue dots and women were given red dots. I hope you like it. Best wishes, John

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