Consultation
Effective consultation is a key part of decision-making. People’s views should shape the agenda for better public services. But are you reaching the right people and really hearing what they say?
Whether you decide to use formal or informal methods, small focus groups or large-scale surveys it is important that people can have confidence in your inclusive approach. Do your methods match your audiences? Are the people who respond those most affected or those with the loudest voices? Are you really listening or just going through the motions? Do you feedback the results to those you consulted and adequately explain your decisions? If you aren’t sure, then Verve can help you get the answers you need.
East London and the City Mental Health Trust
The Trust was one of the first mental health trusts to seek Foundation status and Verve was chosen to advise and assist it to develop its consultation strategy and support its programme of community engagement. The diverse nature of East London’s local population meant ensuring the involvement of faith, BME and community organisations throughout the consultation. The Trust received a high level of response from all groups compared with its peers.
John Wilkins, the Foundation Trust Project Director, said,
“Verve was able to use its expertise in stakeholder and community engagement to generate real interest and excitement among the Trust’s partners, resulting in a positive local response to their plans.”
Shaping Tower Hamlets Strategic Partnership
When Tower Hamlets Council wanted to consult and involve local people in the establishment of their Local Strategic Partnership, Verve undertook far reaching consultation including: holding facilitated listening events; organising thematic events to reach special interest groups; designing and distributing a consultation document to every home; devising and facilitating focus groups to engage traditionally hard to reach groups; and undertaking public relations work in support of the consultation.
By the end of the consultation more than 3,000 local people had given their views and helped to shape the Partnership.