There are two ‘re-imagining’ networks. One considers early help for families. Here are the notes from the first meeting.
Re-imaging Early Help Workshop 1, 20th of October
Membership
We are a mixed group of people from voluntary and statutory sector working together on behalf of the residents of Barking and Dagenham.
Focus
Our objective is to:
- Design, test, and spread innovations that:
- Make it easier for Barking & Dagenham residents to find the help that they need
- Make providing help more fulfilling
- In the first workshops we will be:
- Establishing strong relationships and trust between workshop participants
- Use the synergy of the group to find some quick wins.
Ratio
Ratio is facilitating the process. It will:
- Guide the conversation to make sure everybody is heard
- Listen and draw out connections between the contributions
- Share examples of good practice in the Borough and elsewhere
- Encourage participants to test and learn from new ideas.
Themes in first meeting
- Connect
Residents with each other
Helpers with people who need help
- Continuity
Don’t pass it on, see it through
Less step-up and step-down/Residents don’t want to be ‘referred’
Build on what people do well
- Context
Spaces that connect (e.g. the school gate)
Neighbourhoods that generate a sense of belonging and trust
Agencies that co-operate and don’t compete
- Communication
Face to face and digital
Residents have to know what is on offer
Agencies have to know what each other offer
- Relationships
Walking side by side with people
Encouraging more people to join in mutual aid (being helped/offering help)
- Shared ethos
Plain, simple, language that we can all understand
We are all in this together
- Trust in the capability of Barking & Dagenham residents
People will fly if we create the right context
Give residents the right opportunities, skills and the space to think
- Challenges
Change is challenging. There is a lot of fear about the future
Disconnection is our enemy. Too many socially isolated residents.
Quick wins
- Space: Some of the workshop members need space to advance their work
- Community solutions and Participatory City have space to offer
Other/Emerging models
- Lewisham parent-led centres
- Housing panel guide