ENGAGING with COMMUNITIES

Consultation at the start of your project  that is open and genuinely takes account of people’s concerns is most likely to ensure you get the support you need.

It is common that many  people will have genuine concerns when something different is proposed or already happening in their community. By engaging in an open and honest way about your plans from the outset will help alleviate any issues they have, and give you an opportunity to understand and address them. As well as reducing any opposition to your plans, engagement may be a source of recruitment with local people wishing to get involved and acting as the 'eyes and ears' to keep the site secure.

Key approaches

• initial consultation with the community i.e. getting people involved before you start planning a project
• on‐going engagement i.e. keeping people informed and up-to-date with activities and achievements

 
Methods to engage with the community

• local media campaign – newspapers, leaflets, flyers, posters
• exhibitions / interactive displays (e.g. at a street stall or local event)
• project website
• newsletters and email updates
• surveys or questionnaires by post / door to door / online
• competitions e.g. for project ideas / designs
• public meetings / on-site events
• comment cards (e.g. ‘I wish this was used for....’)
• focus groups to take on particular roles