Our team has been looking to increase opportunities for our clients and enable those who are able and willing to share their stories for a public audience
We believe Experts by Experience are best placed to communicate their needs, story and experiences but often there are barriers to sharing these stories. From language, to understanding the systems in place, their rights and the purpose of sharing. Over the past six months our team has been looking to increase opportunities for our clients and enable those who are able and willing to share their stories for a public audience in order to raise awareness, break down barriers in the community and build bridges.
From schools, to media outlets and public audiences the team looked at the barriers, misunderstandings and confusion that could/ had previously arisen in these circumstances. Previously those who spoke in these arenas and represented the organisation were staff or local volunteers rather than EbEs. There had also been a recent increase in media outlets getting in touch to request interviews which were often quite last minute and pressured situations. This had sometimes led to upset and misunderstandings amongst staff as well as the clients themselves. We recognised that in order for clients to feel more comfortable and confident in engaging we needed to change our processes.
Working closely with an external communications consultant, the Volunteer Coordinator, Fundraising Coordinator and Client Participation Worker developed an informed consent form, media briefings and debrief formats for clients. To remove barriers for EbEs our team established an informed consent process which involves a simple consent form, media briefing document and safeguarding questionnaire as suggested by IMIX during an online training from NEON that our Client Participation Worker attended in September.
Since using this system we have been able to facilitate media interviews with the Big Issue, The Guardian and Channel 4. The client interviewed for the Big Issue when asked why he wanted to be involved said ‘thank you so much for this opportunity, I really appreciate it.
Being able to represent the community and for people to hear the reality.’ For this interview the client, though having almost perfect English was offered an interpreter which he accepted for support and to help him express himself more fully. Without which he says he was nervous he wouldn’t be able to communicate everything in his head. Following the interview, the client was happy with how the interview had gone and despite the interpreter affirming he could have done it by himself, he said he was far more comfortable and confident during the session. Since this opportunity this client has spoken in front of an audience of 800 at our annual fundraiser Come and Sing representing both Nottingham Refugee Forum and sister organisation Arimathea Trust.
Going forwards this shows the importance of informed consent, and providing process and structures to break down the barriers for those wishing to share their stories and experiences making sure they are comfortable at each step of the way. It’s also something we think is transferable into other areas of our EbE work such as focus groups and school outreach.
