<aside> ā ļø TL;DR When creating invitations to co-design, clearly explain the āgivesā and āgetsā of your initiative. What people will need to give to the process, and what they gain.
You might focus on the possible benefits such as giving back to their community, gaining new skills, personal or professional development. In addition, set realistic expectations of what the group can influence and make decisions about.
As Auckland Co-design Lab ask:
How are people invited to be involved, on whose terms?
What is the benefit to people taking part? How are people compensated for their time?
If you have a resource to contribute, please get in touch.
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Genuine invitations are clear in their ask and offer and give people choices about how they want to take part. The diagram below explains that genuine invitations are also personal, trusted and sensitive. Generally, invitations to join movements (such as co-design) have higher uptake when they come through a trusted person or platform ā someone from a particular community, friend or family member.
Genuine invitations are also based in consent. See the Participant Wellbeing Pack by Bright Harbour Collective, And Good, and Mary Coyne
Co-design processes should always take into account peopleās strengths and any risk factors they face (Fitzmaurice, 2017) to maximise choice and minimise harm. Increasing choice is about offering different ways of being involved, providing information on the ask and offer, and, supporting peopleās decisions about what kind of participation is right for them (if any). Choice is a key characteristic of trauma-informed practice (Knight, 2019).
To increase choice, some organisations send reflective guides to potential co-designers that include a list of questions for someone to assess their readiness to be involved in designing for difficult subjects such as suicide prevention or domestic violence. For example, Roses in the Ocean Readiness to be Involved in Suicide Prevention self-reflection.
Invite people to share their strengths and resilience, as well as any challenges and disadvantage they face.
Language shapes relationships, how we think of others and, ultimately, how we feel about ourselves. Language can be a limitation or a lifeline with invitations and within co-design.
The Family by Family program run by The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) draws on the strength of families who have faced tough times to support others who are currently facing hard times. Instead of social workers, families are the workforce. As explained on the programās website (TACSI, n.d.):
Families are the experts. The biggest difference is that families are primarily supported by other families, rather than professionals. Family by Family activates a largely untapped resource ā the strengths and experiences of families that have ābeen there, done thatā ā and at the same time builds community capability and strengthens connections. One of the real strengths of this model is that families donāt work nine to five, Monday to Friday ā theyāre there to support each other 24 hours a day. (para. 2)
Family by Family is an excellent example of what can happen when we invite people to share their strengths and their resilience. Wouldnāt you prefer to contribute to co-design based on your strengths?
Hospitality involves being flexible about what it takes for people to be and stay included. That will look different based on context ā for example, it may include organising childcare, providing transport or quiet spaces for co-designers. Often, it involves slowing down and cramming less into already full sessions. The diagram below includes four dimensions of hospitality to lessen anxiety and increase connection.
