1. Landscapes of participation: Findings & lessons from community mapping Eddie Cowling and Ellie Brodie NCVO/VSSN Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference

2. Overview The Pathways through Participation project What is participatory mapping? Mapping in the Pathways project Findings Reflections on the method

3. How and why do people get involved and stay involved in different forms of participation over the course of their lives?

4. Formative Years Middle YearsLater Years Focused primarily on the individual experience What connections and links exist between different forms of participation? Broad range of public, social and individual participatory activities Exploring individual’s stories in three contrasting communities in England The Pathways project...

5. What is participatory mapping? Draws on valuable local knowledge Recognises local people are capable research collaborators Encourages diverse involvement Fosters empowerment

6. Mapping in context A few examples... Community mapping Mapping as a social research tool PGIS Multimedia mapping Planning for Real

7. Participatory mapping in three case study communities: The aims Identify places & spaces for participation Understand the local context Explore perceptions and understandings Appealing introduction to the project Relationship building

8. Participatory mapping in three case study communities The process - 2 x mapping workshops in each case study area - 8-12 participants in each - Groups asked to draw a map of the local area, and to populate it with the sites and places where participation occurs - Reflection period following the map creation process

9. So what did we find?

10. The maps as representations of physical and social geography

11. Accessibility and inclusion of sites of participation

12. Multi-purpose and single use sites

13. Threats to participatory sites

14. Reflections on the method... Visual method Interactivity and collaborative working Recording and analysis Part of the wider research process www.pathwaysthroughparticipation.org.uk