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Public engagement: theory and practice

New course dates coming soon. To be added to the waitlist of a course or webinar please click here

Delivered through the medium of English

Aims

Accredited by Agored Cymru

To provide greater awareness and understanding of participative engagement.

Content

The third sector is always striving to connect with new audiences so that we can include them in our conversations. This comprehensive three-day course is aimed at providing a greater awareness and understanding of participative engagement. You’ll gain a range of skills as well as build your confidence in engaging with citizens and the community. Days one and two are teaching days which will include, presentation of information, group discussions and interactive exercises. Day three is an assessment day which forms part of the accreditation process.

Day One focuses on understanding and planning engagement.

  • During the morning we will consider the unique context for public engagement in Wales, and review some theoretical models of engagement.
  • The afternoon will involve using a stakeholder analysis technique, and an engagement planning matrix and we will explore ways of engaging with seldom-heard groups.

Day two focuses on engagement techniques, analysing information generated by engagement and what happens after the engagement process.

  • During the morning we will learn about Participatory Techniques drawn from Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) and practice using some key tools.
  • During the afternoon we will look at how to make sure your findings are valid and establish some core principles for analysing qualitative data from a consultation process. The day ends by considering principles and mechanisms for providing feedback to those who take part in the engagement process, and how to evaluate engagement.

On day three, you will demonstrate a participatory technique as part of your assessment, and analyse qualitative data in a structured way. Following the training, participants seeking accreditation will also be required to submit a workbook for assessment.

Learning outcomes

By attending the course you will:

  • Understand the purpose of engagement in today’s Wales
  • Understand some theoretical models of engagement
  • Be able to identify stakeholders and how to engage with them, including seldom-heard groups
  • Be able to use a range of tools for engagement
  • Understand effective methods for communication throughout the engagement process
  • Be able to analyse qualitative data and understand how to make sure your findings are valid.
  • Understand the importance of providing feedback

Who this course is for

Frontline staff and managers seeking comprehensive, accredited training in community and citizen engagement.

About the trainer

Alain Thomas gained over 12 years’ experience of grass-roots community development work at the start of his career. He then set up Alain Thomas Consultancy to provide cost effective and flexible support to not for profit organisations. He has worked in Wales, the rest of Europe and the developing world.

Alain’s training is firmly rooted in his practice and he specialises in participatory approaches to public engagement and project evaluation.

Additional information

A registration fee of £21 per learner will be charged for those who register to complete the Agored Cymru assessment.

Course requirements

To ensure you have the best experience on our courses we ask the following of you;

  • Commit to attend the full duration of the training
  • Training will commence promptly, please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time, as late arrivals may not admitted
  • Let us know upon booking if you have any specific requirements ie BSL interpreters
  • Joining instructions and resources will be blind copied from bookings@wcva.cymru, please check your Junk Email folder if you have not received them a week prior (any problems let us know)
  • If you are unable to attend please email training@wcva.cymru (see our training terms & conditions/cancellation policy)

To be added to the waitlist of a course or webinar please click here

All our courses can be delivered bespoke and tailored to meet your organisation’s needs. Please complete our bespoke training request form and a member of our team will be in touch.

For any other enquiries please email training@wcva.cymru. You can sign up to our mailing list to receive weekly/monthly updates.

MAXIMUM of two places per organisation
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