A quick guide to Appreciative Inquiry

Criticises problem solvingAssumes our societies are problem focusedProblems attract attention and resourcesThis attracts people to look for more problems

Uses a Solution Focus

Best way to sustain change is to:

Identify things that work well

Conserve what works

Build on what is working to create a vision for the future

Appreciative Inquiry Cycle

QualitiesPower of positive mindset

The way we talk about things plays a part in what we create around us

Participative

Whole system

Involves everyone through all the processes of the inquiry (research and action) through:

Sharing stories of what works (data)

Conversations between the ‘right’ people leads to action (analysis to implementation)

Examples of ways I have worked with AIWith Overview and Scrutiny Committees on health

inequalitiesTraining of Health Trainers, locality workers,

multidisciplinary groupsAway-days with voluntary sector organisations,

community development workers, public health departments

Evaluation and scoping exercisesDeveloping tools for action on safety and wellbeing

in schools

Insights from participants

‘ The best of it was getting the stories. At first people said they could give 15-30 minutes, on average they gave an hour. The interviewees set the agenda which is why they gave more time. They felt valued, that someone was listening.’

Scrutiny committee Councillor, S.Ribble

It enabled me to connect with groups. There is lots that can be done to improve life expectancy. There are people with leadership potential which I hope will be developed. Partners are signing up to it. We are breaking the cycle of blame. There are funding streams which could be available. We have got a lot out of it. Councillors deal with negatives all the time.’ (elected member)

Stockport Overview & Scrutiny Committee

On Health Inequalities

OutcomesFor individual residents:

“I felt listened to, not talked at for a change. People are fed

up of being talked at!”

“It wasn’t just a paper exercise – it will lead to

something”

OutcomesFor individual residents:

• Refugee; 10 family members lost in conflict in home country; diagnosed with cancer; feeling very isolated.• Through the AI: connected with different people; moved on to other activities; “on her feet again”.

OutcomesFor individual residents:

OutcomesFor the community as a whole:

• A healthy walking group … link with neighbours … involved in other activities:

• Treasure Hunt involving 120 people developing local knowledge about pathways and natural history;

• On food and environment with children, staff and parents at a local school.

“Everyone won on that day!”

OutcomesFor the community as a whole:

OutcomesFor the community as a whole:

I wanted to set up a fruit and vegetable stall … someone from Healthy Living Network could help with initial funding

and resources … I set up a stall which sold affordable fruit and

vegetables

OutcomesFor local workers and officials:

New services to meet specific need: Mums-in-Art project; extra parenting courses; new locations for antenatal care.

Extended Schools Manager

‘impressed by the energy release … a feel of what was going on in the community ... bring them together … develop new ways of working … AI was a good way to start.’

Executive Councillor for PH

‘AI embedded in health scrutiny … rolled out in the health inequalities strategy’

Associate Director PH