This is an event where an open invitation has been issued. There may be a set agenda or the discussion may focus on issues raised by those attending the meeting. Key decision makers should be present to inform the discussion.
PositivesNegativesWill deliverWill not deliverCase studies
- Opportunity for a wide range of people to comment or raise issues;
- Provides an opportunity for joint consultation e.g. working with other health and social care organisations and local authorities on issues of common interest;
- Offers opportunity for public to challenge issues directly which increases accountability;
- Provides an indicator of problem areas and local issues that may not have emerged previously;
- May provide a good indicator of where to focus attention in future;
- Seminars enable you to demonstrate your expertise in a particular subject area;
- A useful method to identify where information will help improve local knowledge;
- A means to create a listening culture and soliciting sympathetic views based on better understanding.
- Difficult to predict turnout;
- Can be a risky approach – no control over who attends or what might happen e.g. individuals claiming that they are the ‘voice of the people’;
- The audience may be hostile;
- May only attract interested parties/lobby/pressure groups etc.;
- It can be costly and resource intensive, e.g. hall hire, advertising, PA systems and refreshments;
- Limited opportunities for dialogue. Can be boring – audience may feel ‘talked at’.
- Wide range of feedback;
- Build energy;
- Reality check for decision makers.
- Action plan;
- Qualitative feedback.
Level of Involvement: Engaging
Type of Involvement: Large Audience|Requires Facilitation|With and without specialist knowledge