Conversation as an everyday method of participation

suomanSusan Oman

UEP starts from the proposition that the relationship between participation and value needs radically rethinking. Orthodox models of cultural engagement are

based on a narrow definition of participation, one that focuses on the ‘high’ arts and traditional cultural institutions but which, in the process, neglects the

significance of more informal hobbies, pastimes and other, ostensibly mundane, day-to-day activities. Our work sets out to explore the value of such everyday cultural practices through a five-part programme of interdisciplinary,

mixed-methods research.

the relationship between participation and value needs radically rethinking

Well-being is a form of value that can be found in different places.

How can the value of participation be found in testimonies of well-

being?

In conversation with UEP

To find methods to understand participation

And methods that people use - participation as a medium for well-being

The What Matters to YOU?Debate – as framework

“The Measuring National Well-being programme began in November 2010 with a six month National Debate, asking, ‘what matters’, to understand what measures of well-being should include. Following 175 events, with 2,750 people and 34,000 responses received online or via other channels, ONS developed a framework for measuring national well-being

(ONS: ‘Measuring National Well-being: Life in the UK, 2012’)

Measuring National Well-being Debate had “Participatory Spirit” (Kroll 2011)

Reports on the debate (2011) only use qualitative opinions of

what matters to the nation

to support quantitative representations of what matters to those keen to measure what can already be measured

Opinions of the participating nation marginalised

Family History SocietySure-start Centre art classCategory B male prisonMethodist social enterpriseAmateur journalism project for young people ‘at risk’Stand-up comediansAdult beginners’ computer classHospital pharmacy teamYoga class from an elite country clubGroup trying to make a business out of their craft ‘hobbies’Social housing residentsDisability advocacy groupCharedi Jewish women

FOCUS GROUP

S

Discourse Communities | Schostak

What Matters to peoplein their discourse communities?

‘participants co-produce an account of themselves and their ideas which is specific to that time and place’

the form of collective communication occurring in focus groups is very familiar to the ways women connect with each other. Women in many latina families tend to gather in a kitchen to drink coffee, plan the meals and share their worries and stories..

These activities are performed while participating in dialogue with other women

…focus group methdology has great potential for discovering the complex layers which shape the individual and collective lived experiences of the research participants Limputtong And the role of participation

in creating that value

I really enjoyed that..

.. the first time we’ve gotten to get know each

other

Can I come back

tomorrow?

Service users particularly enjoyed working with artists:

R: A few of us from xxxxx set out… they took us in a mini-bus to where the stonemason was working and we basically looked around his workshop and… that’s basically it, really. I: What was it like? Did you enjoy yourself? R: Yes, it was… they had like different jobs that they were doing at the time. I: OK. And what was it like working with the artists? R: What… like the stonemason and stuff? I: Yes, and the people who came about the bench. R: Yes, it was good.

SOURCE: A SECRET

“Participating in arts projects has a positive impact on the mental health of participants by raising self esteem, and reducing social isolation.” Report from ‘important’ people

such activities motivate engagement because they are social and fun – and above all give people the

opportunity to develop skills, self confidence and engage in creating something beautiful.

Being part of something bigger than yourself is also important.

It’s not about you as an individual creating something.

It’s about being a part of something bigger that allows you to let go and be yourself.

it puts me in a place where I am able to see how I fit in. If you don’t fit into society for

whatever reason or feel awkward or anxious, the camera can give you a real

sense of purpose

It’s like being ‘accepted’. I love the positive attention rather than the negative attention that I used to get.

Creative activities bring people together, encourages cooperation and reminds us all of what it is to be human.

Anonymous participants from an unnamed’important’ report

Logic models

Logic modelling can support the development of an outcomes

framework to enhance programme planning, implementation, and

dissemination activities (Kellogg Foundation, 2004). A logic

model helps map the resources and the sequence of events that

connect the need for a programme with its results. In the example below (Figure 1),

the model distinguishes between outputs, outcomes and

impacts of a proposed singing project for older people.

Clearly the first time these two had talked so openly.

Given expressions of enjoyment tended to refer to the fact that participating in the research = 1st opportunity for these groups to ‘chat’

Are the socio-cultural qualities of participation as simple as spending time with people, or are there certain types of being-with people that present better well-being effects?

Can these be broken down by participation forms?

OR do we want to think about participation differently?

Participation to escape loneliness

How do you manage loneliness?

the overwhelming feeling of loneliness

Are we too keen to prove the value of participation, that we default to thinking

of participation as forms of activityAre we ignoring relational qualities

which ‘make less noise’ in participation research, even though they are staring us

in the face?

I’m not arguing that it is conversation as a form of participation ‘that matters for well-being’ as a ‘special case’

Instead more interested in how the conversations in the focus groups useful to understand participation as a medium for well-being,

& how people use conversation as methods for participation, or in participation, and how that affects well-being effects