David Wilcox and Drew Mackie. Draft of April 28 2015 v 1.1. Not for circulation or linking yet
We aim to develop a kit, and testbed local Labs, to blend digital technology with traditional methods for community development and Living Well: making the most of what we have; telling stories and encouraging creative conversations; building relationships through networks.
This proposal is based on explorations over the past four years of digital technology in relation to People Powered Change, opportunities for young people, later life, and Living Well in the Digital Age. It is also informed by earlier work on community engagement, local partnerships, games and simulations, social technology, and networks. References.
Our development process and kit will:
This approach will benefit groups who may or may not work have received funding from BIG, or other funders, by promoting the ethos of convening and catalysing contained in BIG’s latest strategy. It is designed to support top-level initiatives being developed by the DCLG Grey Cells Open Policy Making Initiative, with whom we recently ran a workshop testing these ideas.
Our initial national network partner is Age Action Alliance - but our approach will be applicable through any age or locality. The focus in Croydon is on families.
The diagram shows how, in Croydon, we will use case studies drawn from local experience to describe typical individuals and families in co-design workshops together with network maps of local resources, and stories about real situations. Technology will be chosen to support individuals and families to help build local systems and relationships.
The kit will be designed so that it can be used in parts, or to create a Living Lab by combining methods. The kit development process will be open, and all materials licensed Creative Commons to encourage sharing and development through networks. The kit will include:
We will explore how best to link this to the natural language database of stories and advice, being developed by City University, and other resources hubs.
Our development process for the kit and pilots will take 18-24 months.
Speed of development will be determined largely by the time it take to engage with key stakeholders, and then work with them in piloting and development. Funding from BIG will be particularly advantageous because as well as the financial resource we will have access to the BIG community, and BIG influence as a convenor and catalyst. We could use the BIG online community, if appropriate.
These will include:
The kit will be particularly useful for local partnerships that have bid unsuccessful for funding under programmes like Ageing Better, and now wish to explore alternative routes to innovative development. It will be relevant for any groups wishing to include digital methods in their community development work.
Work will be led by David Wilcox and Drew Mackie, together with a core group of specialists.
Provisional estimate of costs over two years is:
This gives a total of £175,000. These are estimates in advance of scoping. We have made a significant unpaid commitment to exploration and development, and Croydon CVA have provide financial and other support for initial work on the pilot.
We are seeking an initial tranche of £20,000 to scope development, demonstrate the network mapping approach, build an initial network, and run demonstration simulation workshops.
david@socialreporter.com
drew@drewmackie.co.uk