Stakeholder and Community Engagement

We believe in the mantra ‘nothing about us, without us’ and that communities should be at the heart of making decisions that affect their lives and areas.

We know there’s a big difference between designing engagement on paper versus being ‘in the field’, and so we tailor our approach to each project, and we are always flexible. Our team includes community builders, place-makers and engagement specialists. This ensures our engagement activities are innovative, meaningful – and crucially – fun to take part in!

Our approach to community and stakeholder engagement is based on our award-winning model of Asset Based Community Development – we work on the basis that everyone has strengths and something to offer. We understand communities and the delicate local networks and infrastructures that they comprise. And we know what can be achieved by working with people on their terms, where they feel comfortable.

We work closely with our clients to ensure that engagement is inclusive and accessible for those taking part, it’s appropriate and proportionate to the level of influence that stakeholders and communities have on decisions, and it isn’t tokenistic or a ‘tick box’ exercise.

Our tried and tested principles of engagement ensure that we achieve this through:

• Clarity: We are clear on the purpose for engaging.
• Transparency: We are open about what can and can’t be influenced, and how the information provided will be used.
• Being timely: We ask the right questions at the right time – when people can make a difference.
• Accessibility and inclusivity: We tailor our approach for different communities – including providing different ways to take part. We are aware of sensitivities, and remove barriers to getting involved.
• Continuity: We encourage our clients to continue the conversations and deepen their relationship with communities by ‘closing the loop’ and feeding back what has happened – and what has not happened as a result of their input.

Our stakeholder and community engagement services include:

• Developing and implementing meaningful communication and engagement plans
• Recruiting and training peer researchers
• Co-designing and co-producing
• Stakeholder and asset mapping