Module 2

Barriers to Participation


There are certain barriers that communities often face when sharing information and these can stop people from speaking out and being heard. We need to understand the things that stop people when they are trying to be heard about the matters that affect their lives. We strongly believe that these barriers can be overcome by listening to communities and creating an opportunity for them to speak out. We call these the five 'Cs' - connectivity, conviction, confidence, capacity, and craft - which we will explore in this module.

All our videos include Closed Captions, British Sign Language, and full Transcriptions

Module Contents


7 videos

20 minutes

6 activities

1 case study

All our videos include Closed Captions, British Sign Language, and full Transcriptions

Module Videos


2.0 - Introduction


Description

There are certain barriers that communities often face when sharing information and these can stop people from speaking out and being heard.

2.1 - Connectivity


Description

Although a lot of the world is now online, the internet is only currently available to less than half of the global population, and 10% of the UK population remains offline.

Activity

What has been your own experience of accessing mobile and digital communication tools? Are there any specific tools or platforms you’ve wanted to use but have been blocked by poor design?

How to Boost Connectivity: It is dangerous to think that the internet is inclusive. A lot of people are still missing. Draw them in with appropriate tools and approaches.

Read our guide on connectivity here 

2.2 - Conviction


Description

It can be hard for individuals to believe that sharing their experiences will result in meaningful change.

Activity

Can you think of a time when you’ve felt a real lack of conviction? What happened? Did anything help to turn things around or did it prevent you from engaging?

How to Build Conviction: It can be hard for individuals to believe that sharing their experiences will result in meaningful change.

Read our guide on increasing conviction here

2.3 - Confidence


Description

There is so much incredible understanding and knowledge that communities hold, but many people do not have the confidence to share this.

Activity

What gives you confidence to be open and be yourself? If you have others around you at home or work, ask them the same question – let’s crowdsource as many ideas as we can 🙂

How to Boost Confidence: When people don’t see themselves reflected in the stories told in our society they may believe that their stories do not matter.

Read our guide on boosting confidence here 

2.4 - Capacity


Description

We can build capacity by introducing reporting and storytelling skills. This can help to improve the quality and safety of reporting.

Activity

What do you think are the most important skills for your communities to learn in this project?

How to Build Capacity: If you offer people training then they will feel that you have invested in them and you will improve the quality of the insight you gather.

Read our guide on how to build capacity here 

2.5 - Craft


Description

Even though technology has got better over time, not all of us are ready to create reports that could be shown on BBC news.

Activity

At the end of this training course we are going to pair up with producers to help us develop short features – If you could partner up with a video producer, an audio or podcast producer or a graphic designer – who would you chose and why?

How to Develop Craft: Communities are experts in their own experiences but they might not be experts in storytelling.

Read our guide on how to develop craft here

2.6 - Project spotlight: Groundswell


Description

Groundswell works with people experiencing homelessness to report on their experiences.

Activity

Check out some of the incredible stories from the Groundswell reporter network at the microsite

Visit our Groundswell website here

Comments Section


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One comment on “Barriers to Participation

  1. It was very interesting to learning about the 5 C’s, it’s a usable method to empower and uplift community member to share their stories with integrity.

    Below I’ll share a bit focusing on my conviction to the work that I do: –

    As a Social Worker I’ve found myself in a space where my conviction was challenged. Working with vulnerable youth in communities with minimal support from local stakeholders can leave you questioning the necessity of further engagement with these stakeholders. Our community work relies mostly on local structures for us to be able to identify youth that are at risk, however, the support we receive from them is quite minimal.
    Our internal systems as an organization have reignited my belief that anything is possible when you have a strong team and people who want to be assisted and are willing to share necessary information to reach that goal.

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