Local engagement in democracy Findings and implications from Pathways through Participation

1. Local engagement in democracy Findings and implications from Pathways through Participation 18th October 2011 Twitter: #pthwys

2. Available from: www.pathwaysthroughparticipation.org.uk/resources

3. Can trends and patterns of participation be identified over time? What connections, if any, are there between different forms and episodes of participation and what triggers movement between them? Research questions How and why does participation begin, continue and stop?

4. 101 in-depth interviews Life stories Qualitative research Individual at the heart Approach Participation as ‘situated practice’ 3 field work areas: Leeds Enfield Suffolk Stakeholder engagement

5. What is participation? Social participation: the collective activities that individuals are involved in Public participation: the engagement of individuals with the various structures and institutions of democracy Individual participation: people’s individual actions and choices that reflect the kind of society they want to live in

6. Why participation starts • Helping others • Developing relationships • Exercising values & beliefs • Having influence • For personal benefit • Being part of something • Groups and organisations • Local environment and place • Practical resources • Learnt resources • Felt resources • An emotional reaction • A personal life event • An external influence

7. Why participation continues or stops Impact Life event Enjoyment Friendships Relationships Time Health Energy

8. The factors that shape participation

9. Trends and patterns of participation over time Priorities Critical moments Life stage

10. Conclusions Participation is personal Participation can be encouraged, supported & made more attractive Significant barriers to participation are entrenched

11. Briefing paper Also available from: www.pathwaysthroughparticipation.org.uk/resources

12. Local engagement in democracy Social participation: the collective activities that individuals are involved in Public participation: the engagement of individuals with the various structures and institutions of democracy Individual participation: people’s individual actions and choices that reflect the kind of society they want to live in

13. The language and image Local engagement in democracy The practice The accessibility

14. Language and image Safe seats discourage political participation Voting a ‘civic duty’ Perceptions of activities were important Not ‘political’ Low levels of trust and confidence Perceptions of the political system Politicians seen as self-serving But perceptions can be overcome Positive opinions of particular political representatives

15. Practice Examples of bringing about change through lobbying Opportunities to participate No examples of public bodies proactively engaging with people Negative experiences of public consultations Tokenistic and/or repetitious Decision already made Tension between motivation of citizens and needs of public bodies People wanted to see the impact of their participation Perceptions of impact

16. Accessibility Need to respond to their needs motivations and expectations Need to complement people’s lives Opportunities to participate A lack of resources stop people from participating Sometimes due to systemic inequalities People’s resources Relationships can determine success of participation Relationships and groups Groups important source of public participation

17. Implications

18. Group discussion What has particularly struck you? What are the implications? What else do we need to know?