Quotes

We've included a few of the recorded comments of team members to give you a sense of what happened during the work...

a Community Volunteer passed the following comment:

"For example, the PCT had an idea of wanting to tackle diabetes ... they've got their set agenda but that agenda doesn't necessarily sit with the agenda of the actual community, the health needs. So it's an opportunity for us to sort of tell them what we want".

A Community Volunteer described the existing situation in the following words:

"It's very ‘them and us'. You've got your clinicians who know what they want and then there's the public and we know what we want, so there's no middle ground. And this is because I think the clinicians are used to talking at us instead of talking with us. You know, they know what we want because they've read a book. They don't know what we want because they don't know who we are; they don't address the person, they address the illness, so to speak. And sometimes the two go hand in hand."

Another Community Volunteer said:

"Before the Community Dialogue project, I don't think there was anything running in Sinfin that had ever run in Sinfin, where local people could be involved. Suddenly, there is a chance to have a say in our future. It might not come to anything, but it feels at the moment that that's what it's looking like, we might just have that chance."

A PCT Chair made the following point:

"But it is important that what is done is done in the overall context of the priority and the objectives of the PCT and not just done because somebody thought it was a good idea to have a pilot scheme on community dialogue".

A Community volunteer also stated:

"Well I think it needs to be from the top down. I think if you could get the people off their pedestals and their big cushy chairs actually into the public, I think, sort of bring them down to reality with a bit of a bump and have them see what issues there are instead of they assuming; and also, getting the cotton wool out of their ears, so that they hear the issues and not just see facts and figures. You know, the anecdotal evidence is stronger sometimes".

A Manager made the following remark:

"In Saffron we're looking at mental health issues, there's barriers to access here but I'm sure that from a clinical point of view, from our local GPs, they're facing barriers as well about how they can support local people. So it'll be really interesting to get the views from a clinical perspective alongside the views of the communities and see where the synergies are, then look at bringing those together, and look at how we then produce something that meets the needs of both the clinicians and the communities. So I think that will be a really interesting piece of work, but it's breaking through the clinical barriers to get there first."

A Community volunteer stated:

"I think if nothing, it has given me confidence in myself - being able to speak out and be listened to is a big thing".

Another also stated:

"I've grown as a person, to be fair. I'm a lot more confident, I can speak a lot and I'm not as intimidated by going somewhere and thinking oh my God you know ... I don't feel that anymore. In fact, I quite enjoy them!"

A community volunteer is quoted as saying:

"I was lucky enough to take part in the Community Dialogue Project. I had no idea what the P.C.T. was all about let alone the project and could not think what I could possibly bring to the table. I gained a greater understanding of not only my own community but the confidence to believe in myself and my ideas. I was also privileged to take part in the planning of a fun day. Although I think there were some doubts surrounding the project, the community were extremely impressed with the day and felt something positive was happening in Sinfin for a change. It made me feel great to be a part of something so innovative and modern. Communities need to be united and including local people in this way can only bring about more success for our neighbourhoods."

Another Community Volunteer said:

"Before the Community Dialogue project, I don't think there was anything running in Sinfin, where local people could be involved. Suddenly, there is a chance to have a say in our future. It might not come to anything, but it feels at the moment that that's what it's looking like, we might just have that chance."