Today’s session

1. Using Appreciative Inquiry to improve Organisational Efficacy In the Voluntary Sector in Health & Social Care “The questions we ask, the things that we choose to focus on, the topics that we choose, determine what we find...the seeds of change are implicit in the very first question we ask! Inquiry is intervention” Cooperrider, D (1995) introduction to appreciative inquiry

2. Today’s session To showcase an innovative Knowledge Exchange project that took place in partnership with two organisations in the voluntary sector in Kent. • Introducing the community involved and the issues we set out to address • An overview of our approach • The outcomes and impact • Where to from here

3. What triggered the project? • A combined passion for supporting the voluntary sector and a desire to build expertise in using appreciative Inquiry as an alternative to traditional evaluation • Impending changes to the funding of organisations in the voluntary sector, commissioned by social services and the NHS, threatening their survival • Inspired by projects carried out elsewhere, such as:-Living well with dementia in the East Midlands (Julie Barnes) -Victim support project in Zambia (Mette Jacobsgaard) • Opportunity to access HEIF funding in a cross faculty project that brought together complimentary expertise, and helped grow our reputation in Knowledge Exchange • The chance to explore how the university could add value to the voluntary sector in H&S care as part of its aim of engaging with areas of socio-economic development In the long run what is likely to be more useful? Demoralising a successful workforce by concentrating on their failures or helping them over their last few hurdles by building a bridge with their successes? This doesn’t mean problems are ignored. We just need to approach them from the other side. Thomas White, president of GTE telephone Operations, 1996

4. The two organisations we worked with and what they wanted to achieve To help secure the long term success of Blackthorn in the context of the economic downturn and threats to its traditional income streams. Engaging all its stakeholders in creating a new vision and plan for the next stage of its journey, that will encourage practices that are proven to be effective and reduce activity that detracts from the community’s future sustainability. To engage all their stakeholders in in securing a successful future for themselves in the light of significant changes to traditional funding streams and an opening up of the market to competition

5. Extract from the film filmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWSu0gPCk6c

6. Benefits for the organisations involved Tangible outcomes • A clear vision and strategic plan/An action plan to secure the future of the organisation Wider benefits • Belief in their futures • Momentum and energy to deliver the plans created • The full engagement of all those involved (service users, staff, trustees, volunteers, supporters) • Increased ownership & support from the wider community (financial, physical etc) • Opening up of ongoing dialogue that breaks down traditional barriers

7. Social Impact • This approach contributed to improved outcomes for the Service users involved in the projects through: -Increasing confidence -Enriching their experience -Improving employability/Opportunities to engage in other aspects of life • Engaged the local community in supporting the organisations • Helped secure the future of two charities dedicated to serving the needs of vulnerable people

8. In conclusion This project: • Demonstrates our commitment to the application of learning in our community • Offers a powerful case study for inspiring effective partnership working on many different levels • Is a great platform to build from, for enhancing the social and economic lives of the communities we serve

9. Lessons learnt • The importance of access to funding to enable us to develop new fields of work and engage with our community in different ways • Drawing on complimentary areas of expertise, enriches our research and consultancy practice and opens up new teaching and learning opportunities • Built our understanding and experience in using “AI” to engage whole communities in making the transformations they need to make -Tested out two different timescales -Worked directly with service users, volunteers, members of the public, staff and trustees -Honed our skill in facilitating large scale events

10. Lessons learnt • The value of “letting go” and investing in effective partnership -Sum of the whole very much greater than the individual parts -Long term relationships established, leading to spin off opportunities -New and different ideas enhanced the outcome • The power of the film should not be underestimated -Provided work experience for one of our media graduates and valuable insights into how to commission a film -Helped enhance the public profile of the project and continues to attract interest through youtube and public showings at conferences etc. - Is a source of great pride to the service users, and continues to be viewed - Provides an easy introduction to Appreciative Inquiry and how it can be used And finally! • The satisfaction of following your passion and connecting with others to make things happen! “I wish for an environment where everyone can be at their very best and work at the edge of what they can do (stretch themselves) whilst feeling safe” (from the Blackthorn Summit Event)

11. Key issues in moving forward • The voluntary sector are a key part of the communities we serve, with particular funding challenges. If we are serious about adding value in this part of the community we need to work together to identify sustainable sources of funding beyond one off grants. • Involvement in this project and the dissemination of the outcomes has generated a wide range of new connections and possibilities for moving forward. • CCCU colleagues engaged with the voluntary sector in different ways • KE networks across the UK e.g. the London KE network • OD professionals interested in the process • The international AI community • The CLORE social leadership programme • How can we best build on this experience and continue to work in partnership with organisations providing valuable support to vulnerable people in our community?

12. Further information Contact: Sally Cray by email or phone Sally.cray@canterbury.ac.uk 01892 507620 Watch the film on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWSu0gPCk6c Download the toolkit: www.canterbury.ac.uk/business-managem ent/CLMD/news/AppreciativeInquiryValuationProject.aspx This project was funded by the HEFCE Higher Education Innovation Fund 4 (2010-2011) in collaboration with the Department of Leadership and Management Development and the Service Evaluation Development Group at the Centre for Health and Social Care Research at Canterbury Christ church University. The development of the toolkit was led by Sally Cray and Sonia Vougioukalou, Canterbury Christ Church University with the support of their colleagues in the Business School and the Centre for Health & Social Care Research. We would like to thank the Blackthorn Trust and Age Concern Whitstable for being prepared to be the pilot sites for this project and for providing invaluable feedback to help inform the toolkit