Who: KiNETIC (Kirklees Disability Equality Network), a network for disabled people in Kirklees, and the groups and organisations that support them.
The brief: Design and facilitate a strategic half-day meeting of the KiNETIC Disability Network, to review the distance covered and plan for the future. Participants included: Council staff, health staff, third sector providers and advocacy groups, service users and citizens with a range of accessibility requirements (blind and visually impaired, d/Deaf, learning disabilities, using mobility aids, etc).
What I did:
- I designed a series of thematic conversations around the tables, with some feedback and sharing in plenary – we alternated talking and listening.
- I used a twist on the “quiet giraffe” facilitation technique to make it accessible for blind and visually impaired participants.
- I created templates to capture the discussions. I built on historical planning discussions, and designed an activity that enabled us to develop a 2×2 matrix mapping potential projects based on Impact and Interest – I wrote this up into a priorities list.
What they said: “Mithu and I were singing your praises from the Community Champions days and would love it if you could help us again so that we can hopefully get to a point where we’re feeling like we’re on the same page and inspired to continue.” ~ Tamsin Macdonald, Local Area Coordination Manager, Kirklees Council
The buzz of conversations in the room and the richness of the ouputs from the discussions were the best indicators of success; I also received positive verbal feedback from participants while I was packing down, and from the client team when we debriefed.
Photo credit: KiNETIC