Max Neill Portland 2014

What is a circle? When do we naturally use our own circles? Who would be in your circle?

The person at the centre of the circle is usually somebody who has been excluded from accessing traditional support networks (family, community, employment) due to disability, ill health or circumstances Circles are a community focussed intentional response to this exclusion

We know circles work. Even though circles are very rare, people who lead policy and practice in the UK generally have a circles, or are part of a circle. If it’s good enough for them – it’s good enough for everybody!

What makes circles work? Informal: Not too many rules: purpose of every rule is to enable inclusion Mutual: Everyone involved has influence Diverse: Bringing in people from different backgrounds and experiences makes circles stronger Co-production: Power with, not power over Time: A space to think together. Rounds give everyone equal opportunities to contribute Appreciation: Helps us feel able to share learning

How do we develop Circles at scale?

Question the unwritten rules Have as few rules as possible Any rules we do have are designed to help people be included No fetishes, no dogmas, no ‘pureness’ The facilitator doesn’t have to be a charismatic super-skilled ‘guru’, or a selfless saint Facilitator should be directly accountable to the circle: including the ability to change the facilitator

“Barefoot” Facilitation

Stripping circles down The facilitator doesn’t need to be able to do MAPS and PATH and Person Centred Reviews: Someone else can do that. Facilitator uses positive and productive meeting principles to ‘hold the space’ Facilitators can be: Students, volunteers, 2 hrs a month corporate social responsibility, faith groups

Skills beneath the skills PCP PCT Creating and holding a space where learning can be shared

Supporting Facilitators Training Buddy Mentor Coordinator Groupsite Materials

How do Community Circles work? e.com/watch?v=uq_ KTpQC1uE

Circles Circles at the end of life: In a hospice in Buckinghamshire Circles with people with dementia: in Bruce Lodge Circles as part of the work of faith communities Circles as part of the work of a Local Area Coordinator

What difference would the widespread use of circles to help people have more choice and control in their own lives make to local communities?

Circles create change:

How can I get involved? Opportunity to Contribute Become a Community Circles Facilitator Sign up to facilitate the Person Centred Planning meetings Sign up to become a mentor Opportunity to Connect Join in the discussions, share your thoughts, talk to people on the social media Actively ParticipatingLike our comments and retweet. Read the blogs Having PresenceJoin us on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Join the Groupsite Being PresentYou’re here!

How do I stay in contact? Community