Improving social connection in a community is not typically a facet of traditional consultation. However, horizontal dialogues are getting a bit of a revival in an attempt to fill an increasing public service deficit. In other words, bring people together to support the mission of councils and do this by developing community-led cluster groups. Ask what you can do for your council – not what your council can do for you!
Imagine this – use pump prime funding in order to empower self-sustaining cluster groups to co-produce responses to the challenges they identify as key for their communities. Bear in mind, a core element of the Connected Communities model is that it is designed to empower groups to work toward outcomes best suited to their communities rather than having external outcomes imposed on them. Although some degree of ‘scaffolding’ can be helpful.
So what about community appetite? In summer and autumn 2023 Ealing Council asked residents across the borough to share their views about how they would find it easiest to talk to the council about their towns and neighbourhoods under an initiative called ‘Your Town, Your Voice’. They discovered that many of the borough’s residents (27%) are currently involved in activities to improve their local area, while 56% want to do that in future. Conversely, a lack of trust (35%) and poor relationships limited engagement with the council. One of the main reasons for why people cited they not get involved is people (32%) believe that their involvement will not make a difference.
The top things that residents said would help them get involved are:
- The right kind of activity
- Good communication
- Hosting inclusive conversations
- Clear purpose for people to get involved
- Consistent and follow up with actions
Reasons for why residents will not take engage with the council included:
- Being busy with other things
- Feeling that not everyone is welcome
- Not having enough information – particularly young people
Interestingly, surveys and consultations were ranked as the most preferred way of getting involved (23%) but in-person meetings were only a few percentage points behind (19%).
The starting formula for Connected Communities is fairly simple – map out relationships, start with finding a receptive place ,finding community anchors and then bringing people together. But there should also be incentives, benefits and tangible goals as well as an investment in time and coordination. Connected communities can mean individuals but can also mean connected businesses, charities and support groups.
Our view is that the real challenge is sustainability – without devolved funding there is little hope of scarce community resources being invested into solving the problems of a funded body who is ultimately responsible. However, it does open up an interesting conundrum of community democracy and the toolboxes that a community has to manage community assets or convene conversations. Equipping communities or giving them access to systems is just as important as resources. For what it’s worth, we think that the right resources should include the right consultation and engagement skills.