Community Conversation Details

In total 47 people attended the event at The Storey on the 30^th of March. They consisted of 30 young people and 17 adults, of these 8 young people and 7 adults were part of the planning group.

Of the 32 people completing evaluation forms 100% rated the event as either 4 or 5 stars out of 5.

When asked what worked best most young people completing the form described the conversations themselves and the nature of them, comments included: ‘Talking was good, it was very accepting and genuine’ ‘They let us get our point across’, ‘They lets us get out point through and listened’ ‘They didn’t interrupt us’, ‘talking about different topics’ ‘All the sessions and meeting other people’, 5 individuals just wrote Talking or Communication. Others mentioned the organisation and the rotation system.

When asked what they would change about the event, besides those who said they wouldn’t change anything, two clear themes came out. Three people felt that we get more young people involved and six felt they needed more time in the conversations.

All but two of those completing a form said they would attend a similar event in the future. Other topics they felt they would like to discuss included: 3 people mentioned family issues and parenting, 4 said LGBTQ and racism, 3 asked for more discussion around schools and one mentioned mental health again. One person said ‘Physical health and where we can get help for specific things’, and one wanted a conversation on the Regeneration of the Canal Quarter.

Adults responded similarly when asked what worked best. Comments included ‘Talking to each other and learning others views’, ‘Mixing and seeing different points of views’, ‘Young People shared their opinions’, ‘very interactive’ ‘the interactions and sharing of ideas’, ‘The communal discussion prompted everyone to get involved with the conversation safely’, ‘Talking to young people to find out their experience and knowledge’, ‘Café style worked well – kept things moving’, ‘Loved that it was led by young people, not me’.

Again, when asked what they would change the adults’ responses were similar to those of the young people. Five adults felt that more time was needed and three identified more young people and a broader representative range of young people. Some felt that more adult organisation was needed, ‘Possibly slightly more lead so distraction isn’t as possible’ and ‘Organise more’ were two comments.

All the adults completing a form would attend a similar event in the future and they suggested topics such as employment, bullying, schools, young people’s engagement in politics, focus on food, body image and social media, bills and money, sexual health, socialising, and diversity for future topics.

Findings.

The induvial conversations were recorded in several ways. Each table had an adult facilitator who recorded the main points on flip chat and used post it notes throughout. A small number of video recording took place as well as a number for still photographs. Each of the five conversation tables had an audio recorder, although not all of these have been available.