Below is a generic statement that could form the basis for any consideration before starting a project. Community voice also gives rise to further issues which we have added as specific points to be considered at the end of this statement.

Consideration for community projects

Ensure the work you are doing is in the interest of the group and that the community is aware of the purpose of the project and the benefit to their community and the individuals within the community. Practitioners should seek to know and understand the group they are working with and the social context in which they live or carry out their work, education or social relationships. A greater understanding of the wider influences at play should be sought to ensure you can engage with and understand the issues that matter most to community members and that impact on their lives.

All members of the community should have their individual needs and limitations recognised and all efforts made to ensure that community members have equitable and fair access to the activities you deliver. It is important to identify any community members that have more power or responsibility and ensure that they work for all community members to have access to the project and activities. There may be others external to the project whom you have to deal with to engage with the community. This should be done cooperatively and with a shared interest in the community at the heart of the project.

Practitioners should recognise how their presence can impact on the community and should work to reduce harm or any adverse affect on the wellbeing of community members. All community members have the right to privacy and for their personal information to be dealt with sensitively and in line with GDPR.

Practitioners will build relationships with the communities while maintaining professional boundaries and ensuring they remain safe. Their engagement with the community should make full use of their professional skills and knowledge to navigate the project and activities.

Further considerations for Community Voice projects

At the early stages of your voice project you should establish agreed boundaries with the community. The community may wish to use their poetry or creative statements to request improvements to service and to advance their own agenda locally, regionally or nationally. For example, a care home resident may wish to share their views with managers of the care home, to express gratitude or to highlight changes they want; young people may want schools to hear their opinions or community leaders to make changes to local amenities.

Communities should consider their language, tone and content and what onward impact it will have on them and the community. As the practitioner your role is to support them in producing what they wish to publish and where. Appropriate publications should cause no harm (to the group or its audience) or intended offence. A balance should be struck between expression and publication; the communities should be encouraged to express their voice but supported to make decisions about when to publish or share their work and when possibly to modify or withhold creations for the benefit of their community.