What is the Derbyshire Facilitator Network?
The Derbyshire Facilitator Network is a group of people whose "day jobs" broadly involve consultation, public participation and partnership working. The Network currently includes employees of all District Councils, Derbyshire County Council, health organisations, the voluntary and community sector and other statutory agencies.
The Network is an independent and professionally trained resource that provides support to service managers in member organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a range of participatory consultation. In doing so it also aims to build capacity in these skills across the country to improve services for local people.
The members have, through shared training, gained a good level of skill and understanding and share a commitment to developing and practicing facilitation and process management skills.
How can the Network help you?
The Network may be able to assist by:
- helping you consider a range of approaches to effective consultation and involvement and the consequences of adopting them;
- planning, managing, supporting or coordinating interactive events; e.g. consultation, workshops, focus groups etc.
- providing facilitators who are independent of your organisation, where appropriate;
- Providing examples of good practice and learning from previous consultations;
- Giving feedback on your proposed consultation event.
To get the most from your event and make the best use of the expertise of the Network, members will often need to be involved in the planning as well as the actual facilitation. The Network may not be able to assist if you only require extra administrative support on the day.
How can I find out more?
In the first instance please contact Wesley Downes, Policy and Research Team, Chief Executive's Office, Derbyshire County Council, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG wesley.downes@derbyshire.gov.uk or telephone on: 01629 585558.
