01 Jul Better Places Together – Rethinking engagement and social value
June saw the launch of north-west based social enterprise, PLACED‘s first conference titled Better Places Together focused on social value and engagement in place projects.
The event posed questions on rethinking engagement and social value from tender to legacy and how meaningful engagement can enable less-heard voices to share their views and feel part of the decision making process. Also, how can social value initiatives create long-term change, not short-term solutions.
Our director, Diane, enjoyed an engaging day with lively discussions with lots of group exercises from collage to engagement person profiles. She shares her thoughts below.
Key takeaways
- How can we, as practitioners shape change when we have little control over what happens when the projects ends?
- What is the role of social value in tenders…how is it commissioned, is it done in the right way (no!)?
- On engagement, are we asking the right questions? We need to keep checking the room throughout the project, who is missing from the conversation?
- Is there a scenario where we should just leave places alone….perhaps they are fine as they are? (but, who are we asking this question of?)
- If a place keeps pulling you back (examples were parks) then this implies success – it is serving you at different stages of your life
- The importance of free spaces with seating – without the need to buy food and drink – for teenagers to hangout
- Cross generational memories build strong place connections
- Social value should be judged by the community as to what is needed and whether it has been successful
The event culminated in a wall of cardboard bricks. Each participant had to write a few lines on their takeaways from the commissioning, delivery and legacy strands of the event in improving social value and engagement on place projects.
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