Active citizenship stories
Recent unsolicited feedback from one Impact participant follows:
“I feel very privileged to have been part of Impact and for all the fantastic opportunities I have had. I’m thrilled to say, I have been nominated as the Midlands Coordinator for Million Women Rise 2009, asked to attend the launch of a new domestic violence campaign in New York next week, and to attend a meeting in Washington with Madeline Albright, as part of the Women World Leaders calling on talks to strengthen relations between the US and EU with regard to women’s issues. In mid October attend the Women’s World March 2010 in Spain. And more local to home I’m organising Reclaim The Night for B’ham women to attend (and of course those in Shrewsbury too!!) B’ham will be having one too in the New Year!! And I now attend WAITS women’s policy forum too. It’s busy but I’m enjoying it very much.”
(Received via email 25/09/08)
Impact programme evaluation excerpts
Reasons for getting involved:
“To get to know more people and to get out of the house”
“To get out of the house after 10 years of not leaving the house alone following an accident”.
“To learn more and become a better representative on the (Primary Care Trust) Forum”
“To meet other women and learn a little more about politics”
“I wanted to be involved in something”
“To get confident as the ‘powers that be’ made me feel worthless, patronised – with no respect”
Following the IMPACT! learning programme participants have increased levels of confidence, skills and knowledge and are more politically aware:
“I believe I can change things”
“I have a thirst for knowledge now and the desire to do further research”
“I am able to speak at forum meetings without feeling embarrassed”
“it raised questions about democracy and the current voting system and arguments around ‘first past the post’ and ‘proportional representation’ systems”
“I have the skills, understanding and confidence to feel that I can help people and have a new lease of life in retirement. Family life is much richer”
“I am confident in the knowledge that I can make a valuable contribution and make a difference. I feel far more in control”
“I have the self confidence to enable change in my own life – to stand on my own two feet”
Participants have learned more about themselves, their differences and collective experiences. They have surprised themselves, challenged the barriers of discrimination and have a better understanding of others:
“the residentials and the trip to Brussels gave us a chance to break down barriers and get rid of preconceptions of women from other cultures”
“Everyone boosted each other’s confidence by telling their own experiences and listening to each other”
“ I was amazed that a woman of my age (73) can be of use to others”
“it made me think about how some groups cannot access normal rights!”
“I am no longer frightened to ask questions of others on subjects I would have tip-toed around before e.g. culture, religion, family”
Participants have encouraged others to get involved in groups and forums. Participants recorded involvement in: environmental groups, local area networks, community newsletters, disability networks and other groups. They have recognised the needs of their own communities, organised their political lives, become involved in different issues and made global links:
“I’ve lived here for 21 years – it never dawned on me that we had nothing – 1500 properties with no amenities, services – not even a post box”
“I now help others to build their confidence and realise their potential. I am planning to set up a Women’s Enterprise Development Agency”
“I have been able to take my interest forward in housing, health, education, crime and neighbourhood safety, social welfare”
“I have more interest in Europe and political structures”
Participants feel – and are – more influential:
“Knowing how policies are put together and how the government works… arms you with the information needed to target services”
“we have provided input for national guidelines and made Council meetings more accessible by advising on processes to include deaf people”
“I have influence on how my kids are looked after in school. I feel confident that I can get people involved – to challenge and change structures”
As a direct result of IMPACT!, participants have become involved in:
- Borough Council structures – as community representative on a Scrutiny Committee and (separately) as a partner to organise an event
- Women’s Enterprise Development Agency – Board Member / Chair
- Primary Care Trust – working in partnership to organise an event
- Community Forum – as a member
- School Governor (and then elected as Vice-Chair)
- School Performance Management Committee
- The Labour Party
- A local housing estate management board – as Director
- A local community association – as Director
- Local Environmental Group – as Chair
- A neighbourhood nursery
- The Partnership Board of a Children’s Centre
- A Safety Partnership Board
- An Estate Management Board – as Director
- Training as a union representative.
- Community Empowerment Network
- Neighbourhood Management – interviewed by evaluators
And there have been wider impacts on family and friends:
“my friends are really proud of me”
“My daughter wants to be a politician!”
“I want to take my family to Brussels to share the same experience that I had and – in particular – to visit the European Parliament”
“My husband is doing more volunteering and my grandchildren have more awareness of the world around them and the other people in it”
“none of my children have stopped on at school except the younger one. After sitting and talking to her about what I have learnt and how it’s made me feel – seeing me at my age learning – it helps her to feel responsible for herself – make her own decisions – and she decided to stay at school”