Consultation events - Activities - Upstream

Consultation events

The mentoring approach brings consultations with older people into their everyday lives so that those who do not normally wish to be involved in formal consultations, or are not able to do so, enjoy the opportunity to discuss important issues and have their comments heard. These ‘consultation conversations’ help people to influence what is provided by local services and how those services are delivered; people feel they can make a difference to their own lives. Mentors use the results to plan activities that people want and the way in which they want to develop their sustainable groups. Two examples of recent consultation events are:

Boniface Consultation Event, October 2006 

Held in Crediton’s Boniface Centre to inform Devon’s strategy for older people and Devon’s successful bid for Partnerships for Older People Projects funding. 26 people came from surrounding villages and towns, with the help of co-ordinated transport arrangements. Mentors and visiting artists facilitated ‘taster sessions’ including felt-making, wire sculpture, weaving, painting, printing, writing and other crafts. Lunch was made by participants at the venue, with fresh-made soup, bread and apple pie.

Everyone, including a number of professionals from county and community services, produced finished pieces of work that were assembled to make a tree sculpture on the theme of ‘Nature’s Bounty’. The ‘hands-on’ activities made for easy social exchange in which the informal questionnaire was readily taken on board and provoked enthusiastic debate at the different tables. People felt ‘ownership’ of the process and welcomed the chance to involve visiting professionals in practical activities and vigorous conversation.

Tiverton canal barge trip, July 2006 

An afternoon trip for 50 participants was arranged by mentors, with participants from several activity groups, interested individuals and carers. Transport was organised wherever needed. Everyone was provided with sketchbooks, notebooks and cream tea, with a prompt folder of suggestions on what to look out for along the canal. Mentors encouraged discussion and involvement even by those who had never written or sketched before, and everyone had a go at something.

The consultation questionnaire had been circulated in advance and people were able to chat about it at leisure. There were three aims for the event: to provide an enjoyable and stimulating day out; to enable people to gather raw material for creative projects in their groups and at home during the winter; and to discuss Upstream’s proposal for extending its activities into more isolated villages with a ‘Community Start Van’ and intergenerational groups that would encourage older people to become involved in creative activities in the context of the whole community.

A summary of the main questions and responses on both Consultation Events is available on request to Upstream. 

The latest Consultation, in Summer 2007, which was combined with a trip to the National Trust at Killerton House, will be added shortly.