Debbie John, Programme Catalyst at Community Catalysts, shares what’s unique about Big Conversation projects and how she sets them up for success.

I love Big Conversation projects – getting out-and-about and talking to people, hearing what really matters and then turning that insight into action plans for change. I guess it’s my love and passion for working in this way that sets Big Conversations up for success – it’s so important that people in local areas can shape what their support looks like in those areas, and this matters to me and Community Catalysts.

For those who are not aware of what Big Conversations is, in a nutshell it can be summarised as a way of having quality conversations for effective collaboration, coproduction and strategic planning. It creates ways to be truly inclusive, collaborative, brave and authentic, which very much align with my own, and the values of Community Catalysts.

The Big Conversation in Bromley

I recently had the privilege of leading on a Big Conversation with older people, their families and professionals across the borough of Bromley.

To maintain quality and keep the project on track we created a Reference Group made up of colleagues from the council, NHS and voluntary and community sector. This group was crucial to the success of the work. Members brought energy, challenge, local knowledge and a real commitment to getting it right for people. They were so collaborative and positive throughout. And provided an objective voice to keep me right.

I’m a big believer that if you want to truly make people feel heard, you need to go where they are. So, I did just that, spending time in wellbeing cafés, community groups, libraries, faith setting and even out on Bromley High Street with a mini mic doing vox pops. Those spontaneous conversations were some of my favourite, providing rich insight. By basing myself at Bromley Market Haberdashery I was able to get a completely different kind of honesty. When you just stop and ask someone how things are for them it really makes a difference to the response you get.

As well as quality conversations with local people, we also shared an online and paper survey to get a wide range of views. No single approach works for everyone, so we kept it flexible.

With brilliant local partners, we connected with over 100 organisations and reached over 500 people across the borough. Age UK were incredible, helping us reach so many people and really getting behind the Big Conversation.

I couldn’t write this without giving a special shout out to Brenda Parsons, who went above and beyond, supporting in-person events, helping promote the work locally and bringing real energy to the project.

And I have to say, I was genuinely struck by the role of faith-based organisations across Bromley. The scale of what they offer. They have regular activities, welcoming spaces and community connections. They are such an important part of the local ecosystem and played a key role in helping us connect with people.

There are several things that make a successful Big Conversation:

• Going to where people already are (and sometimes just stopping them on the high street!)
• Keeping things flexible and accessible
• Working through trusted local relationships
• Proper partnership working—not just in name
• Taking time to really listen and engage

The six-month Big Conversation in Bromley resulted in a report and summary video for the council with key findings and recommendations to inform their strategic planning.

I am now involved in the second phase of the Big Conversation in Bromley, focusing on young people aged 16+ who are moving from children to adult’s services.

If you want to chat to me about my experiences in Bromley or the Big Conversation please get in touch.