Outcomes (by Rebecca and Eva)
The scoping meeting. This was the basis for the timetable and introducing the project, making sure everyone understands what it’s about and why they would want to get involved.
Focusing on a core group, with key leaders that offered support and help with organising the group as well as language translation.
Devising a timetable based on people’s skills, needs and availability. This structure was crucial in making the most of the resources available i.e time, skill share and staff contribution.
The staffing – Eva, Rebecca, student volunteer (Georgia), Cate (LAWRS) and Carla (language translator) – As a member of the community group, to have Cate closely liaising with participants about logistics was beneficial to the running of the project.
Having an external evaluator from the community - Patria helped gain an insight into what people really thought with the use of questionares (for skills facilitators and participants). Patria’s involvement ensured qualitative in addition to quantitative results.
The location of the People’s Bureau helped in terms of interest from passersby. Located opposite one of the largest businesses in the Shopping Centre meant that there was high footfall passing the unit.
Participation from the general public encouraged openness across cultures.
The fact that the People’s Bureau is an open model allowed for more facilitators to propose activities to share i.e Amina Malik who facilitated cardboard shoe making drop in class.
The People’s Bureau also worked as a meeting place for socialising to set up the continuation of skills share on a one to one basis after the end of the pilot.
What needs to be worked on :
We would like to approach more groups to attend The People’s Bureau, this would need more time and a scoping meeting to which all local groups are invited.
It was confirmed that although using one space was very positive (with up to 50 people at one time), the space needed to be larger in order to facilitate bigger groups and a more diverse range of activities to take place.
Sourcing the funding to continue the project.
Continue the project on a longer basis, with a set day for weekly timetable. For instance, Friday worked best at the People’s Bureau pilot.
Use the evaluation report (produced by Patria) to help shape the future of The People’s Bureau model.
Deliver the report to Delancey (the new management for the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre), whose request for this information, confirms the need for what we had initially planned.
Take this model to other locations across the UK :
a) Working with one group to encourage socialising, raising confidence and value in own cultural heritage and learning/sharing new skills and
b) Working with different groups to form a diverse group aiming to bridge between different communities, encouraging social cohesion.
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