Responding to public consultation – swimming pools and collections CAN mix!

Many of my projects involve me doing some form of consultation. This might be with existing audiences, partners or bookers. It could be with new potential audiences, partners or bookers, or with stakeholders, members, Friends. I agree a methodology and set of research questions, and off I go, talking and listening to people.  

When I present this back to the client, there is always a mix of ‘things we already know’, some surprises, and some absolute treasures. But often the client feels a bit bamboozled by all the data. How can they address all of this? And how on earth can they put a swimming pool in an archive (yes, suggested by a teenager in Longsight, they wanted it to be fun!). 

Responding to consultation requires me – and the client – to identify the insights and consider how we can best make use of them. The decisions need to take into account your own resources, your expertise and capacity, your own strategic priorities and those of your stakeholders (and funders). You can’t do everything, you need to act within your constraints, but don’t dismiss the idea before thinking about the underlying need or motivation.

OK, so a swimming pool may not be possible, but interpret that as providing opportunities for play or exercise or fun, and perhaps there is something you can do to address that need. Outdoor trails, social spaces, play areas, or interactives that are based on games or sport could work. 

Responding to consultation doesn’t mean taking everything at face value and a blanket yes or no. It’s often a starting point that can spark ideas or different ways of doing things. It’s the listening and hearing new voices that is so important and opens our organisations up to the people we want to engage with.