Presentation from Communicate Event

1. Digital Inclusion through Socially
Engaged Practice: Nine Top Tips
Dr Constance Fleuriot
Dr Roz Hall
may 2012

2. kwmc.org.uk
dcrc.org.uk

3. The Basics
l Keep it simple
l Keep it cheap/free
l Keep it relevant
l Give people time to learn new ways of using
familiar technology

5. Know the community
l DO build in plenty of time to build trust and
mutual understanding with partners and local
residents
l DON'T have unrealistic expectations for a 'quick
fix'.

6. Listen
l DO listen to what people have to say and prove
to them that you have taken their thoughts on
board.
l DON'T ask lots of questions and then never be
seen again.

7. Devise innovative projects based on
local priorities
l DO involve people who you intend to work with
in the planning of a project.
l DON'T try to devise projects independently of
those the project is intended to benefit.

8. Extend your reach
l DO look for new ways of doing things, based on
ideas that emerge during a project.
l DON'T keep doing things the same way
because that's worked before, or because that's
the way you've always done it.

9. Value differences
l DO tailor the project to the specific needs and
interests of individuals working with you.
l DON'T assume to know or anticipate the
interests and needs of individuals on the basis
of a group identity.

10. Devise different ways to engage
people
l DO make sure that there are as many ways as
possible to engage in any one project.
l DON'T define all the roles or ways of
participating to the exclusion of new ideas that
emerge through a project.

11. Support people to develop in ways
that are relevant to them
l DO be prepared to revisit and change your
objectives (the things you will do including the
partner organisations or professionals you wll
work with) if your original objectives won't help
you to realise the aims of your work, or to have
the impact you intended to have.
l DON'T adhere to irrelevant plans and objectives
that don't interest people, to the detriment of
your ability to realise your aims.

12. Sustain engagement with people
l DO support people to develop independence,
through reflection and Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) support, and signpost them
to other relevant opportunities.
l DON'T limit people's potential by thinking of
them solely as 'participants'.

13. Work in partnership
l DO find out which organisations are respected
by the community you want to work with and
develop a relationship with them.
l DON'T assume no one else is doing anything in
that community.

14. Use everyday technologies
l Mobile phones
l Text
l Twitter
l Facebook

15. Thumbprintcity.com

16. Homelesssms.com

17. Remember the basics
l Keep it simple
l Keep it cheap/free
l Keep it relevant
l Give people time to learn new ways of using
familiar technology
l Show people how to use twitter
l Don't expect workers to use their own phones –
buy a dedicated project phone so they don't
have to give out their personal numbers

18. Keeping in touch
constance@featherhouse.com
drrozhall@googlemail.com