Working Well Together

Yes We Can!!

Aim: To develop a better understanding of how residents can work together to make a difference in their communities

LEARNING OUTCOMES• Better appreciation of your own skills and talents• Greater understanding of the value of networks and

partnerships in getting things done• Understanding and valuing diversity• Improved techniques in getting your views across

Visualising Success

• E.g. held a street party, set up a football team, created a street garden

• What is it like?• What has changed?• How do you feel about

the success?• How do others feel?

Southwark’s Got Talent !!

• 3 things you like about yourself

• 3 things you’re good at

• 3 things you’re proud of

Who makes up your

community?

NetworkingI don’t know but I know a person who does!

• Who do you know?

• Who do you need to know?

• Where can I get extra information?

Working in a PartnershipMany hands make light work!

• What partnership has been successful?

• What was difficult?• What would you do

differently in future?

Partnerships lead to Action !

• Burgled houses/sheds

• Dumped rubbish• Youth café• Loud music• Fires in skips/bins• Equipping a

community centre• Exercise classes

older people and wheelchair users

Getting your views across

• Valuing diversity

• Active listening

• Being assertive

• Importance of preparation

Intercultural skills• Engaging with people from different cultures,

who may have different values to yours, can mean communicating in different ways

• Intercultural skills are the skills we need to understand the values and customs adopted by people from different cultures, how these might affect their behaviour and how we should respond

• They are skills that help us to communicate and behave flexibly and sensitively with people from other cultures

Intercultural skills

• Knowledge and awareness of different cultures – way of life, customs, social and religious practices that may affect people’s behaviour

• Understanding our own attitudes and behaviour and how they might differ from those of other people

• Recognising the differences and being willing to adapt were necessary

There are three main elements to intercultural skills:

Active Listening defined…• Active listening is a structured way of listening• It focuses attention on the speaker• Listening to not only what is being said, but also

what isn’t being said• It is not only hearing words and tones it is:

– understanding non-verbal communication– being aware of feelings– encouraging the speaker– paraphrasing – summarising what the

speaker has just said

Assertiveness:

• Standing up for one’s rights without anger or aggression

• Saying what you want• Keeping calm and sticking to the point• Declaring strongly• Using appropriate body language• If you meet objections, keep repeating

your message but respect the other person’s point of view

Assertive vs. Aggressive

• Being respectful• Being open and honest• Being clear and direct• Taking responsibility• Make sure you have

been listened to• Being diplomatic• Requesting not

demanding• Being solution focussed• Listening to others

• Shouting• Demanding• Insisting on your way• Not listening to others• Blaming others• Not being respectful• Aggressive body

language• Violence

Preparation & Planning

• Know what you want the listener to hear

• Know who your audience is

• Use evidence, facts, research to support your point of view

Dealing with conflict• Early indicators:

– Body language – Tone of voice– Abrupt responses– Disagreements, regardless of issue– Increasing lack of respect– Stops listening– Lose sight of goal/s, digression– Poor behaviour

Techniques for avoiding / resolving conflict

• Set clear goals

• Plan for potential conflict by having evidence / data to support you

• Communicate frequently

• Be honest about your concerns

• Ask questions for clarification

• Focus on the positives

• Stay fact focussed

• Consider not only what you say, but how you say it

• Agree to disagree

• Avoid making accusations

• Consider a mediator

Working Together to plan a community event / new facility

• Organising a community carnival

• Setting up a community allotment

Review

• What have you learned?

• Who has contributed good ideas?

• What will you do next?

Aim: To develop a better understanding of how residents can work together to make a difference in their communities

LEARNING OUTCOMES• Better appreciation of your own skills and talents• Greater understanding of the value of networks and

partnerships in getting things done• Understanding and valuing diversity• Improved techniques in getting your views across

If you need any further information:

Tel: 0800 018 5692 0207 403 2936

Email: info@volunteercentres.org.uk

Web: www.volunteercentres.org.uk

Our Contact details