WHAT OUR SPONSORS SAY...
"I'm very happy with how the Winter School went (January 8 & 9, 2004) and I think your facilitation was excellent."
Jacky Jones, Regional Health Promotion Manager, Western Health Board, Galway, Ireland
"Our one day in Open Space was the equivalent
of two years hearings by the Committee."
Lee Bridges, Clerk, Social Justice Committee,
The Scottish Parliament
"We have used Open Futures to organise two large scale participatory events — an
Open Space on the future of theatre in Scotland and a Future Search looking
for a Vision for the Arts in the 21st Century. Although different processes
they share very positive attributes. They both shift the focus from the negative
to the positive. They both ensure that all voices are heard and not just
those who have traditionally shouted loudest. They forge new alliances between
people and groups who did not think they had anything in common. They are
demanding of participants but create a buzz which people enjoy and find stimulating
of new thoughts and new approaches."
Seona Reid, Director, The Scottish Arts Council
Open Space Event — Museums, Visual
Arts and Heritage Best Value Review
Just a quick note to thank you for pulling off a successful Open Space Event on
15 June 1998. Considering the audience I guess the odds were against a successful
event! So well done!
Bridget McConnell, Director, Cultural & Leisure
Services, Glasgow City Council
"The best aspect of Open Space was how the technique allowed new voices
to be heard. Those who had previously regarded themselves politically weak,
or personally diffident, were given permission to speak. The structure of
the meeting also meant that those who had a personal agenda were not able
to hijack the group or its purpose."
David Taylor, Drama & Dance Director, The Scottish
Arts Council
"I would like to thank you for all your help with the People's Panel the
other Saturday. By unanimous consensus, the day was a great success, and
we much appreciated your key role in facilitating the event. Thank you again."
Ian Hooper, Head of Forward Planning, Cultural & Leisure
Services, Glasgow City Council
Open Space Conference: Suicide and Self Harm
amongst Young People
Suicide and Self Harm amongst Young People is a harrowing, shocking and controversial
issue. Many voluntary organisations and groups working with young people, as well
as staff in the front line of social work and health care services are concerned
at the extent of distress amongst young people, and its expression through suicide
or self harm. As an organisation working with young people in mental distress,
we were well aware of the deficiencies of current services across Scotland for
young people who self harm, and the apparent inability of the planners in key statutory
and governmental agencies to respond to the situation.
Confronted with this explosion and the apparent paralysis on the part of policy-makers
and planners to deal with the issues, we wanted to bring together people from voluntary
agencies. social work, health services, education, and importantly service users
and parents to address the key issues and to find a way working together. Until
Open Futures came to us with idea of an Open Space Conference we had no idea how
we would successfully bring together the disparate groups involved into a meaningful
dialogue.
On the day we had 80 participants including service users and parents. The resulting
Open Space was a phenomenal experience. Participants shared their experiences,
addressed issues and ultimately come up with an Action Plan for future work. It
was heartening to see people from different backgrounds coming together, to listen,
to understand and to learn — everyone gained on an individual level. The contributions
of service users, young people, and parents were particularly valued and were testimony
to the genuine participation promoted by tile Open Space format.
It is difficult to express in words the feeling of tremendous energy which was
generated throughout the whole day. It confirmed for me and many others that what
is passed off by government and other statutory agencies as user involvement and
stakeholder participation may be well intentioned but is fundamentally flawed in
its method.
From Open Space we have a new vision for the future and a platform on which to
build a new lobby group which will work to raise awareness, promote understanding,
and campaign for prevention initiatives and good practice across all agencies which
are in contact with young people."
Glenn Peters, Development Manager, Penumbra