Neighbourhood Learning report

Neighbourhood Learning Research Closure Workshop. Feb 27, 2003

The following is a record of the discussions, which took place during the final workshop for Neighbourhood Learning researchers.

Accreditation

A brief explanation was given to participants of the accreditation process. Those interested in accreditation, completed forms.

Participatory research

Participants were asked to consider the approach to research (participatory research) used during the work and discuss the positive and negative aspects of its use and any suggested improvements.

Group 1

Positives	Suggestions	Negatives
Everybody gets a voice. People feel important and included. The community feels happier at the end outcome because they were involved. More in-depth information by carrying out community consultation. Getting the residents to take responsibility of the community. Helps organisations understand.	Inform by posters, leaflets before consultation. Find out what has been done before. Carry out properly.	Can't speak to everyone. People are apathetic. Can't please all the people. Will the research help? Other organisations are suspicious.

Group 2.

Positives.	Suggestions.	Negatives.
The community is consulted. People feel they are being listened to. Engages with people who are actively involved in the community. Diverse groups. New initiatives. Empowered people. Identified shortfalls in community provision. People have an opportunity to give a view on a variety of issues and interviewers can extract more relevant material.	Not asking closed questions. Investigate past research, and the result from this to enable us to carry out more focused research	Not all group/individuals consulted. People quickest answers to avoid discussion. Planners do not make use of results, people are disillusioned. Lots of researchers no application of results. Excuses for not participating. How individuals/group interpret questions. No continuity.

Project Evaluation

Participants were asked to write down ‘anything that has happened to you as a result of doing the work and learning the skills of PR?’

The following is a selection of some comments.

	'A better understanding of what is happening in the neighbourhoods researched. I now feel I can become more involved with processes in my own neighbourhood to involve others in creating a learning community'.
	' I have really enjoyed this work.'
	'Training has helped me build my confidence on talking and listening and having a wide range of opportunities for work'.
	'I feel this training/work has been great experience and wouldn't have missed it for anything!'
	'Learnt that the most unlikely people can offer ideas and suggestions. It is imperative that preconceived ideas about an individual, due to their environment, be put to one side. Always be prepared to learn from an individual no matter what circumstances'.
	'I'm going to hold classes on how to use mobile phones at one of the community centres'.
	'I have increased my knowledge of community awareness. Also I have decided to do more activities at the community centre'.
	'I have learnt not to judge anyone until you have spoken to them.'
	'Have to be able to take lots of people's opinions into consideration'.