The one-day session was based on our SP=EED® framework (Successful Planning = Effective Engagement and Delivery), which sets out practical principles, levels and criteria for effective community engagement. SP=EED® provides a nationally recognised structure for planning and delivering engagement that is inclusive, proportionate and effective.

Learning through the SP=EED® Framework

Throughout the day, participants explored how the SP=EED levels and criteria can be applied in practice to design meaningful engagement activities.
Many said they valued “understanding the structured steps of the process of community engagement” and learning about the “range of techniques and different levels of engagement available.”

One participant reflected:

“Having a framework which supports designing engagement at level 1 and level 2 is really helpful. Having worked on well-resourced projects in the past, I appreciate guidance on how I can deliver the best possible engagement strategies on future projects, even without the resourcing and support I’ve had in the past.”

Others commented that the session helped them “put structure into designing engagement” and was “useful to take a step back and think more strategically about engagement facilitation”.

Exploring approaches and strategies

Discussions during the workshop focused on how workplace culture and organisational context can influence engagement, and how these approaches might be challenged or developed.

As one participant put it, the session highlighted “how your workplace can influence your approach to engagement and how this could be challenged or approached differently”, while another appreciated how it “reinforced the need for varied approaches”.

These reflections showed a strong appetite for creative, flexible engagement strategies that respond to different audiences and local contexts.

Methods, inclusion and best practice

When exploring methods and techniques, participants found it refreshing to discover new and diverse ways to engage with communities.

One attendee said:

“I was able to understand that there is way more preparation that needs to be done before any type of engagement activity. Also, there are several different ways to engage with people, not only drop-in events and online surveys.”

Others valued learning about “all the things that need to be taken into account when organising engagement events”, including “considering diversity (and how to be inclusive)” and the “importance of monitoring, reflection and learning”.

Collaboration and shared learning

The training was highly interactive, with group work at the heart of the session. Participants told us they enjoyed the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences and learn from one another.

Several attendees highlighted the “good atmosphere” and appreciated the open, supportive environment that encouraged discussion and feedback throughout the day.

 

“The workshop groups were fun, and I was able to learn a lot from other people in the group and their experiences,” said one participant.

Another added that “the exercises offered the opportunity for group members from different sectors to bounce ideas off each other, regardless of level of experience”.

Looking ahead

We were delighted with the energy, openness and commitment that participants brought to the training. It is always inspiring to see professionals from across sectors invest time in developing their engagement skills and share their passion for working collaboratively with communities.

Every conversation, every community-led plan, and every consultation benefits when engagement is thoughtful, inclusive and well designed. We look forward to continuing to support practitioners across Scotland to design engagement that truly empowers communities and helps shape better places for everyone.

Interested in learning community engagement skills?

Our Community Engagement Skills Training runs regularly throughout the year and can also be organised on an individual basis for organisations to train their teams.

Register your interest in future dates by emailing sp=eed@pas.org.uk