Situation:
The Carr-Gomm Society is a housing association for vulnerable adults, who help disadvantaged people to take control of their lives and create a valued future of their choice. Carr-Gomm asked TheWholeStory to provide a creative session for their service users, to introduce and explore the idea of "consultation". The session would be part of a half day where service users could raise issues and discuss points of importance to them with regards to Carr-Gomm. The session would help the service users find their voice and an appropriate way to express it.
Solution:
We took part in 3 Area Focus Groups across London. The workshops started the meetings, to break the ice and create a positive friendly atmosphere. A selection of games and scenarios explored different ways to request, listen, respond discuss and be heard.
Results:
The session provided practical alternative ways for service users to raise issues and needs, away from the conventional meeting and discussion. They could use the skills to see other perspectives and to consider how what they say could be mis-interpreted and therefore how to adapt what they say as necessary. The exercises gave them greater confidence to speak and discuss what they want from Carr-Gomm.
TheWholeStory continued its work for Carr-Gomm by delivering an experiential-learning drama workshop for a Client Involvement Conference and staff training for Carr-Gomm Consult to demonstrate uses of storytelling as a communication tool.