Tower Hamlets Plan: Community Insights Research Empowering local people Valuing local knowledge Gathering quality insights June 2018

Background A Tower Hamlets Together Project. Part of a wider programme of work to develop and support ‘community research’ in Tower Hamlets. Local people trained in ‘community-based participatory research’ . Employed via Workpath and work as ‘Community Insights Researchers’. Key features of the approach are valuing local knowledge, more accessible research methods and strengthening communities. Community-based participatory research is a form of engagement conducted by and for those most directly affected by the issues. It has been the basis for the resident engagement on this stage of the Plan. Community research has been found to: Yield better and more nearly complete and accurate information from the community ­­Change people’s perceptions of themselves and of what they can do Help to break down racial, ethnic, and class barriers, and help people better understand the forces that influence their lives Generate positive outcomes and move communities toward positive social change Develop skills and knowledge which carry over into other areas of the researchers’ lives

Gathering a wide range of views We have been talking to local people about the Tower Hamlets Plan themes. 750 + people all across the Borough Using qualitative, participatory techniques, we have gathered data that reflects peoples’ feelings, perceptions and experiences. The data reflects engagement with the demographic diversity of the borough, rather than a defined representative sample.

Tower Hamlets – Far & wide Some of the many places we visited

Where we’ve been ✔

The tools to gather data H Forms: to identify what’s working well, not working well and to gather suggestions / solutions. Beaney counters – to identify priorities Drawing – to get a visual representation of an idea. Graffit walls – and quick way to gather people’s views. Using stickers, dots and post-its

Analysing the data ... After each ‘session’ (event or group) the we completed a template summary and reflection sheet. We are in the process of analysing the data together. The analysis will focus on identifying what needs to happen next to deliver on the priorities.

Some reflections on what people have said so far… “There aren’t many cheap places to get lunch in Canary Wharf. Lower paid workers said they are using their cars to get to cheaper places to buy lunch. It doesn’t seem very environmentally friendly” “A young girl told me that there are too many chicken shops near schools and that there should be fruit and veg stalls instead. Kids know best!” “People have been saying that there is so much going on that they don’t know about. They said they want the local newspaper back!” “Health & wellbeing are concepts that some people find difficult to engage with. For example, older migrants”

Next steps ... Data analysis is in progress Co-produced report to be developed for the Tower Hamlets Partnership in April/May. We look forward to participating in planned Tower Hamlets Partnership events and other opportunities to report back to our communities. Follow us on Twitter: @THCommInsights Join the Community Insights Network – take a flyer!