Lessons learned

The Grenfell Network Group held a physical event after several COVID-19 affected months on Thursday 13th of August at 10.30am. Meeting outside Bay 20, on what turned out to be a lovely morning - was quite literally a breath of fresh air. Though by no means the biggest meeting the Grenfell Network have held, at 15 attendees, it was possibly one of the most important for a long time.

The enthusiasm to participate was energising and the discussion on the vexed issue of "Participation in a Time of Covid19" was excellent - and very productive. There are some very important actions on the horizon once I get the minutes back! As I indicated the meeting focussed on a widely held belief that COVID 19 has ushered in a democratic deficit fostered by the latter-day "Zoom" culture. The belief hinges on the idea that the myriad of online forum, whilst seeming making life easier, even boosting numbers and with that perceptions of greater inclusion, actually reduces active participation and robust discussion.

The meeting looked at how this development had impacted upon the achievements of engaging in the significant redesign of RBKC's Charter for Public Participation adopted in the spring. The pandemic, as with rest of life drew a massive barrier in front of the progress, leading to the community (certainly those represent at the meeting) feeling North Ken is emerging from lockdown in a much worse place that it entered it. How to reverse this is the main subject of our next meeting, something which participants hoped will be a call to action.

From my perspective, oh my, the joy of holding a physical meeting. Letting people speak and conversations flow organically there is zero substitute. Sure, I had to try to keep the distances, wipe chairs down, battle traffic noise and use gallons of sanitizer but it was worth it. I really urge organisations and tenant groups to give it a go. I know it takes more prep, it certainly takes a massive chunk of control away, we all know people we would like to mute for an hour (What do you mean me!) but honestly, we all know it actually makes sense.

Obviously outside is a summer(ish) option and we had a fall-back position (under the Westway) but if we are to build confidence up in our community we have to try to do what we can to safely normalise old habits - and for the North of Ken this means having your say in a cut-and-thrust way. That being said GNG, me in particular, will have to look at how to hold a combined meeting where those who really can't attend can watch and ask questions - not yet sure how to do this so if you have ideas please let me know, I am really open to maximising participation.

Finally, we all know meetings are where only a fraction of the work is done, the Grenfell Network Meeting saw people talking afterwards in groups for ages, this is really where links and progress is made. Zoom does not offer this, it is too controlled, too agenda driven and simply not organic enough. I urge everyone, provided like the GNG; you have risk assessed, got a Westway Licence, taken precautions, engaged other organisations like Bay 20 who lent the chairs, or the Maxilla Men's Shed who shared their risk assessment, give it a go!