Barbara Mertlova

I’ve seen a lot of lovely diagrams showing how to do participation. But it’s impossible to design participation in a diagram. It’s different everytime and held together by magical people. Before Muhammod Shofi joined Camden Giving we had 300 ex-grantmakers, now we have a community of 300 allumni members. There isn’t a diagram for what Shofi has done (actually, we do have one somewhere, but don’t look at that, look at this photo). Tonight we met at Zappi and talked mental health, physical health and regiously motivated hate crime. Big challenges that we can only tackle through participation. Less diagrams, more magical people with the resources they need to mobilise.

93

2 Comments

Great blog from Nina reflecting on how mentoring can be rewarding for mentors too! And how user research skills and techniques can be used in other roles 🙌

7

I'm celebrating today - I made it to one year! After 20 years working for 2 brilliant local advocacy charities, I decided it was time to step out, and give my own business a chance. It has been a bit good! It is flipping awesome to be able to take a day (or more!) off, go for a long walk, make my own decisions, and steer my own ship. Above all, I have met the most incredible people, from across the world (thanks especially to Ester Ortega, Simon Duffy, and everyone at Citizen Network). What are the challenges? - the quiet times (it is never quiet for long!) - the self-doubt (did I do the right thing? YES!) - the inconsistent income (save, save, save) - the uncertainty (having up to 20 clients could be considered more secure than having one employer - what do you reckon?) - the competition (there are some really great accessibility designers out there!) Despite the challenges, it has ALL been worth it. Wish me luck, there's heaps to do, hard work ahead, but no regrets. If any of my contacts are considering freelancing, I would be more than happy to chat, if it would help you at all. #freelancelife #advocacy #accessibility #citizenship #UK #betheboss

35

7 Comments

It seems silly that we look to the past to design how to go forward. If it did not work then, why would it work now. I am not sure twitter is the best place to get user feedback in England. I am worried about the over-professionalisation of user voices and user activism. Peer to peer naloxone is vital, it is time to flood our communities and it is time for organisations & services to drop the barriers they were made to put in place for treatment. Let them come in fast, understand they aren't coming in for recovery, do not punish them if they test positive for other drugs ... the goal is to keep them engaged to keep them ALIVE! Understanding that we all have different communities - the only ppl getting to asians are the asians and the LGBTQ community etc .... there is not one way and not addressing this is where we have gone wrong in the past. We are not all the same - isn't that part of what we've been fighting against? Real activism and real peer power comes when we connect with what we know and share it. I hope you stand strong for the groups you rep for, mthe community you love or came from and for the hidden, the scared, the often lonely. I stay in my lane and perfect it, understand it, know where to go in any area and who to see to make links. There is always a similar pattern i have noticed. That is peer to peer ... I am not connected to mothers through drugs i am connected to mothers because i understand how it feels to be a Mwud.

2

#SpotlightonWellbeing Lately, I've been making a conscious effort to prioritise my wellbeing by stepping away from my screen after 5pm. This simple change has allowed me to delve into the world of novels, a refreshing change after spending years consumed by screen time in the evenings. Two books that have caught my eye and made it onto my Amazon wish list: Christine Nyad's 'Find a Way' and Mary Oliver's 'Devotions'. Mary Oliver's 'Wild Geese' asks a powerful question that resonates deeply with me: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" This got me thinking - I don't want to spend my life behind a screen. In today's digital age, prolonged screen time can have detrimental effects on our mental and physical health, contributing to heightened anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. It disrupts our sleep routines, encourages sedentary habits, and ultimately diminishes our overall quality of life. By embracing time away from screens, we open ourselves up to deeper connections, new discoveries, and a richer experience of the world around us. Let's push ourselves to break free from our screens, soak in fresh air and the beauty around us, get our bodies moving, and engage in activities like reading, listening to music, or having a long phone call with a close friend. These small moments of self-care can make a significant difference in boosting our overall wellbeing. Happy Friday! #DigitalWellness #ScreenTimeDetox

3

I’ve been reading the ebook version for the past week, and the paper copy of Content Design by Sarah Winters and Rachel Edwards has arrived! Now I can write notes everywhere and highlight bits. 😍📝 🖋️ Has anyone else read this? What did you think? 📖 #research #contentdesign #contentdesignlondon

4

2 Comments

🚨Accessibility fail for Network Rail🚨 Posting photos of toilets isn’t a usual LinkedIn habit of mine but I think this occasion warrants it. I recently travelled via London Liverpool Street station and was delighted to see the digital screen podiums with travel information displayed in text and in British Sign Language. I’m not a BSL user but I hope these are the accessibility win that they appear to be. Time, money and thought FINALLY being invested in accessible travel. I’m aware these have been available for a while but it’s my first time seeing them in place, amazing! Unfortunately the accessibility euphoria rapidly ran out when I visited the accessible loo. The red emergency cord dangled proudly at least 3 feet (1 metre) from the floor… sigh. These cords absolutely must hang freely all the way to the floor - it’s what they’re for! This is accessibility and safety basics, and I expect there’s a building regulation code in there somewhere too. The juxtaposition wasn’t lost on me. Shiny expensive more-accessible screens on the concourse floor seen by millions of people, disability safety shame hidden in the accessible toilets. And it wouldn’t even cost much time or money, if anything, to fix. So why was it like this? I’ve reported the issue to the operator, but it has reminded me of the importance of always promoting the ‘basics’ when pushing for inclusion and accessibility innovation. It’s not a certainty that people will remember the fundamentals when hearing new ideas or working on solutions, or they may even be new to thinking about accessibility and inclusion. So for any project I’m working on, I’ll always be sure to include the fundamentals too, even if the audience is generally well informed on accessibility and inclusion. This helps to prevent any accessibility fails in the solutions, and is in itself an inclusive approach. #accessibility #inclusion Image description: Two side-by-side photos taken at London Liverpool Street Station. The left side photo shows a digital screen podium with travel information displayed in text and in British Sign Language. The right side photo shows an accessible toilet cubicle with the Red emergency pull cord hanging freely from the ceiling but ending several feet from the floor.

11

1 Comment

I have now turned the learning from this post into a review of design thinking, service and systemic design #designthinking, #servicedesign, #systemicdesign https://lnkd.in/ebjdXnZF

6

Whilst I'm a staunch advocate for child's rights and best interests of the child, I'm also a firm believer that parents of today's youth are in desperate need of support themselves, especially when it comes to that pivotal life moment when their child gets their first phone. According to a recent report by HMD (makers of Nokia phones), 66% of Aussie parents wish they hadn’t given their kids their first phone. Why? While they certainly see the educational (and social and connectivity) perks, 80% fear that these devices expose their kids to strangers and dangers they can’t control. What’s slightly scarier? Over half of Aussie parents admit they have no idea what their kids are doing on their devices. As kids dive into the digital world earlier and earlier (the average age is eleven), it’s clear their parents are struggling to find the balance between giving their kids freedom of connectivity whilst also teaching them about responsible tech use. Kids need guidance as much as they need their devices. It’s time for better tools, education and support to help parents help their kids navigate this digital landscape safely. Your kids first phone shouldn’t be a regret; it should be a step toward a brighter, safer future. Visit Telstra's Digital Family Hub for support today. https://lnkd.in/gpTJkzm7 #DigitalSafety #YouthVoices #TechForGood #FirstPhone #ProtectOurKids #DigitalParenting #ChildRights #DigitalRights #DigitalWellbeing

3

Clocks go back 1 hour in the UK! If I could rewind time on my workshops, here are 5 things I'd do differently: 1. Create more psychological safety 🤗 This is crucial for people to open up and feel it's a safe space. 👉🏼 I now create more fun warm ups e.g. share a favourite book or movie, then we explore characters 👉🏼 Share my own vulnerabilities and life lessons e.g. I gave terrible feedback once... 👉🏼 I'm also using speed dating and a pre-meet for people to get to know each other before a hackathon I'm running in partnership with L&D SHAKERS on 21st November! 2. Ask participants to bring personal experiences 🤔 I created the term "BYOE" bring your own experience. With lots of reflection time in my workshops to apply what they learn. I "group coach" - as I'm more than just a facilitator! People ultimately want answers and help tackling their own challenges. 3. Create a framework! 🌁 Anyone who knows me knows I'm ANTI-theory! I hate complex theoretical frameworks where the frameworks themselves become the obstacles to learning ! But rather than reject frameworks, I now create useful "techniques" such as my 3 Ts for Performance Conversations or my ISBA Feedback framework with fun visuals. 4. Don't dumb down learning 💡 I'm allergic to fancy terminology. Using jargon free learning helps beginners. But I've learnt to trust learners to grasp something and so I create stretching experiences. I provide glossaries where needed such as my Financial Lingo Book. 5. Make the workshop 90 mins! ⏰️ I'm about behavior change. I can inspire and turn a light bulb on in 60 mins. But I really want you to start a journey on change. So... What would you change, if you could go back? ⏪️ ...... Hey 👋🏻 I'm Saad Chief Empathy Officer at Managerkind Join my next workshop a fun simulation experience Master Accountability to make decisions with little guidance! 🗓 30th Nov ➡️ https://lu.ma/dms6i37q

7

7 innovation tips from the accidental innovator Polly Shute Last month at the fab Fundraising Everywhere Innovation conference Polly shared 7 tips from her career as an accidental innovator. ⬇️ 1. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 The heart of innovation lies in solving real problems. Polly is the founder of Out & Wild Festival' festival, a space designed for queer women and non-binary individuals to connect. Post-lockdown she noticed the acute loneliness in this community. The festival has now tripled in size in three years. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: identify a problem and focus your efforts on finding a solution. 2. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 One of the biggest barriers is a fear of starting. Polly shared the example of the “Dechox” campaign at BHF, where the team launched quickly despite internal pressure to perfect the product. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: You don’t need a perfect plan. Early action provides crucial learning to guide the future 3. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆 Innovation requires stepping into the unknown with confidence. Believe in your product even before it has succeeded. Polly secured Speedo as a sponsor for her Pride swim event - driven by her unwavering belief in her concept. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: This confidence rallies support and overcomes all obstacles. 4. 𝗕𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱 Creative campaigns, like “Give Chocolate the Finger” for Dechox, shows the importance of taking risks. Some in the organisation were hesitant, the bold approach paid off. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: Don’t shy away from bold ideas—they cut through noise and make a massive impact. 5. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 Innovation is never smooth sailing. James Dyson made over 5,000 tweaks to his vacuum cleaner before it succeeded. The festival market is crowded and challenging to enter. But belief in the product and confidence she is answering a real need helped her battle challenges 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: Resilience and a long-term view are crucial to seeing innovation succeed. 6. 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 No innovation is an island. Building and nurturing a passionate, collaborative team is key. Build a shared purpose and celebrate small wins. Dechox had a laser focus on sign-ups. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: You need collaborators and a strong team to innovate 7. 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 Innovation is an ongoing process. Drawing inspiration from companies like Apple, Polly stressed the need for continuous observation and improvement. Use customer feedback and market research to stay focused on audience need. Iterate. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: Innovation is a never-ending pursuit. Stay alert 𝗧𝗟𝗗𝗥: 1. Solve a Real problem 2. Get started 3. Confidence counts 4. Be bold 5. Persevere through setbacks 6. Teamwork is essential 7. Keep pushing ♻️ Repost if you're also an accidental innovator ❤️ I help charity fundraisers to innovate. Follow me Henry Rowling #fundraising #innovation

7

2 Comments

The UK Home Office receives a lot of bad press in regards to its treatment of asylum seekers and refugees entering the UK. It's also really important to provide an alternative story and highlight the fantastic work that's being done there, celebrating the committed staff who are striving to deliver a fair and empathic service. Over the past 2 years, the clinical team at Hedroc have been supporting the UK Home Office mental health and wellbeing directorate to develop a 'trauma informed approach,' that places empathy at the heart of staff practice. This has also included guidance on interviewing and assessment of asylum seekers. You can read about the fantastic work that is being undertaken by staff in the link below. In a nutshell, Hedroc undertook a scoping assessment of the Asylum Support Team, identifying strengths and good practice, and outlining a set of recommendations to build on trauma informed practice. We have identified that a trauma-informed approach can have huge benefits in regards to more accurate interviewing of asylum seekers, and better mental health outcomes for both asylum seekers and staff. The initial pilot within this directorate has been so successful, that we are now consulting with UK Home Office on how it could be rolled out across the whole organisation, and various contractors! Founded by Clinical Psychologists, Hedroc is a progressive mental health and wellbeing service, offering organisational consultancy, clinical supervision and training to organisations looking to embed Trauma Informed Practice into organisational culture. The scope and impact of trauma is pervasive, and very much a significant issue that needs to be considered by leaders working in 'trauma exposed organisations,' such as in the NGO, health, police and legal sectors. Feel free to DM me if you want to learn more about Trauma Informed Practice and how we can support you to embed it into your organisational culture. The journey starts here! #traumainformedpractice #TIP #trauma #wellbeing #employeeweellbeing Adrian Roberts DipNCRQ GradIOSH David Trickey Alun Barnes MCIEH, CEnvH Shaun Mallanna Elizabeth Rimmer Amy Oliver Holly Hannigan-Mills Melissa Rutherford Toni Graves

11

DEI means ensuring everyone has equal opportunities to thrive, no matter their background. I’ve just been re-reading an article in Waitrose Weekend from September that I’d torn out and kept because the initiatives it was reporting on were brilliant. The article was titled ‘Cooking up opportunities’ and it detailed some of the fantastic businesses and charities that are offering a fresh start to current and ex-prisoners through the food industry. From restaurants in prisons run by The Clink Charity that are open to the public and serve food cooked and served by current prisoners, to a cheesemaker local to me (NETTLEBED CREAMERY LIMITED) that partners with a nearby prison to offer paid work to ex-offenders, to a bakery (The Dusty Knuckle) that runs a youth programme that trains 70 young people who have been identified as sharing a dissatisfaction with their life (with referrals coming from prison rehabilitation programmes amongst other areas) - all aim to give a chance and a purpose to those that society might otherwise ignore. With overcrowding in prisons rising and a number of prisoners now being released early in an attempt to ease the crisis, there will be many trying to find job opportunities and failing because of their criminal record. It may feel like a risk for businesses to employ ex-offenders but most genuinely want to work hard and reset their lives. And with schemes like the one run by HMP Huntercombe, which partners with local businesses to vet recent inmates for them, it makes it easier for organisations to offer work to ex-offenders with greater peace of mind. I'm not sure if there are other schemes like this in the UK - I hope so - but there are a number of rehabilitation through work programmes that operate both in prisons and out of it for those who have left. It can be a hard pill to swallow but a truly inclusive workplace doesn't just include those with the protected characteristics it deems acceptable. #DEIForEveryone #EveryoneDeservesASecondChance #RehabilitationThroughWork

3

Open Ideas - version 2 Inspired by the absolute love you all had for me sharing Friends of the Earth 'Steal from Us' page I decided to spend a day or so finally building version 2 of Open Ideas https://www.openideas.uk/ About 18 months ago (how!?) i ran an experiment when I asked people to post their ideas openly and then I gave one of them £500 to do something with their idea. No strings, no report, no follow up. You can read about it here https://lnkd.in/eash2BmA It was a fun experiment, but I thought there was more, and wanted to put together a resource for sharing ideas. And then I promptly parked it and never got back to it, because life. But now I have turn idea into action! And here it is. A free place to share ideas and maybe collaborate around them. And yes, I've now got ideas for on 'Open Ideas Fund' - if you want to know what that is, well see it on Open Ideas.

19

7 Comments

Why invest in yourself as a midlife freelance design consultant? Whilst I'm not a fan of all the '10x-ing' and '6 figure' narrative, it's often overlooked at how education and self development can impact a freelance design business. Professional coaching is tax deductible, so it makes sense to be using that to your benefit. The CEO's and C-Suite know this and that's why professional coaching is available to the corporate world. They know that investing in the skill set of their team is vital. Buying a car, a holiday or a new MacBook will not give you the ROI like investing in your education in midlife. In my experience, high end coaching can create results that far out shine any other investment you will make in your life. Because nobody can take away your knowledge or your mindset, it's an investment that will positively impact your business, wellbeing and relationships. It's a no brainer. #freelancedesign #fashion #surfacepatterndesign

2

Seeing as I am one of the people on the list who have celebrated being certified as carbon literate I'm sharing the info below in case you want to get involved. #sustainability #ESG #climatechange

12

2 Comments

What's it like being disabled in different parts of the UK? A new tool from Scope has launched ahead of the general election. The Local Disability Data map enables you to put your constituency in and get info on how many disabled people live in your area, the average extra cost of being disabled in that area and what you can do with this info. Why does it matter? Is it surprising that disabled people weren't mentioned once in the leaders debate? Not really. Which is wild when, in places like my constituency, a quarter of the voting electorate has a disability. It also matters because the actual process of voting when you have a disability can be much harder. What can you do? Check the map out, contact your local incumbent MP and parliamentary candidates standing in your region and: 1. Advocate for accessible voting. 2. Ask them what policies they'd enact to protect the lives and livelihoods of disabled people. 3. Ask them what they think the biggest challenges facing disabled people in the area they want to represent are and see if they line up with Scope's stats. ID: A screenshot of Scope's local disability data map. The background is purple and there's text to the left which reads: Local Disability Data Map This map details the experiences of disabled people by local area The local disability data map highlights some of the main issues currently facing disabled people. Put in your postcode below to see localised data and quotes from your area. An aqua coloured map of the UK is to the right of the text. #Disability #Election2024 #DisabilityAction

3

One of the scariest things about automation is the discrimination that can simmer in the design of these systems. A single Mum receiving less money to live on from Universal Credit because of an algorithm is wrong on so many levels. We need good regulation and transparency to make sure this kind of discrimination doesn't brew undetected. #AIRegulation #AutomatedPublicServices #AIPublicSector

23

1 Comment