The Quality of Life Code of Practice for Community Engagement…in practice

Our Outreach and Learning Coordinator Annick Matthews Staindl shares thoughts and learnings from our recent beta-testing workshop for our Code of Practice for Community Engagement. 

It’s a vulnerable thing, showing someone your draft and asking for feedback.

But in the spirit of collaboration, at the end of last year we shared our Code of Practice for Community Engagement, still in its beta phase, with a host of practitioners representing private, public, and charitable sectors. 

These professionals, in turn, shared their experiences of applying the Code to their own projects in a workshop in March. Unsurprisingly, the discussion was candid and reflective. 

What is the Code of Practice?

Led by Melissa Lacide (Senior Engagement Officer at the Foundation), Matthew Morgan (Director), with consultation from Angela Koch (Imagine Places), the Code seeks to provide a standardised, measurable framework, in the form of eight principles. 

The aim is for practitioners to use the Code to assess and strengthen their consultation and engagement practices.

This idea emerged as a natural extension of research done with universities during the Community Consultation for Quality of Life project, and sits within the Foundation’s strategy to ensure that local people feel they have influence in decisions about their local areas.

Our beta testers self-assessed their own practices via a checklist of 35 questions. But this wasn’t about ticking boxes. The aim was to provide a platform for self-reflection, and an opportunity to elevate engagement practices to new heights. 

In short, how do we go from good practice to excellent practice?

Case studies: ‘‘[The Code] gave a very clear idea of what good engagement could be’’…

‘’When I went through the code, I felt a bit of a relief, to be honest with you, because I realised… that we are doing best practice’’- Pepper Barney, BiBO.

From Wiltshire and west London, two organisations presented their project self-evaluations at our recent online workshop. ZCD Architects had successfully secured the commissioning of a Public Realm Inclusivity Panel, while BiBO studio repackaged the Code as a matrix as they reflected on their urban room. The latter stressed the importance of seeing an urban room as a knowledge exchange: ‘’it sounds like it’s a small room, but it isn’t. It’s a network. It’s a methodology.’’ – Pepper Barney, BiBO.

Self-assessment takeaways

Participants in the workshop gave us some really useful feedback on the Code of Practice, which we will reflect on as we further develop the final version.

What was useful?

  • Clarity: Some participants mentioned limitations around other similar engagement resources, saying the Code of Practice was an accessible format with a broader reach to provide a high quality of life for residents.
  • Strengthening the role of an engagement lead: The Code provides a platform to reinforce the importance of a dedicated lead to implement straightforward initiatives which we know are good practice. Some examples are: arranging accessible transport; providing cash payments and food to participants; and keeping presentations short but the creative discussions long. 
  • The potential to be used as an educational resource: Using the Code to introduce clients and design teams to community-focused engagement approaches from the start of projects.

What could be improved?

Helpfully, the workshop participants also had useful feedback about what could be improved in the Code of Practice, including:

  • Make sure that engagement is formally protected. What to do when there is a change in project or political priorities? 
  • Clarify between principles (values to sign up to) and standards (where there is accountability)
  • Provide guidance on best practices. Provide more concrete examples of early recruitment, regular meetings, and feedback loops

Next steps

Following the beta-testing, the workshop, and feedback from our critical friends, our next steps are to:

  • Revise the Code of Practice principles
  • Review our inclusive engagement toolkit
  • Develop a Quality of Life support and training offer

The Code of Practice isn’t just a document; it’s a commitment— a commitment to providing  a multitude of excellent outreach and engagement approaches.

It might be a work in progress, but it’s moving the agenda forward. Will you join us?