Report Back
Timeline
It is important to identify timeframes that are achievable. There is no point in asking your Local Authority to change housing policy within 2 weeks! Remember to include time for Duty Bearers to investigate what can be achieved. It is a good idea to speak to them before setting your timeframe, although you should also consider how important it is for women for change to be achieved as soon as possible.
Report back
Communities are consulted on numerous issues, by a variety of workers and policy makers. Time is spent discussing serious and emotional issues and often requests for change are not achieved and even when they are, participants are not informed.
It is essential if women are to feel the process has been a positive one, whether they achieve everything they ask for or not, that they are kept informed about what is happening and the results of the work.
Make sure any report back is accessible to the women who have been involved in raising the issue, but also to any specific group of women the issue affects.
Change will not be achieved overnight and your timeline should be a working document. Update as action is achieved, but also when deadlines have been missed. Who have you contacted? What extensions have been given and why?
Feedback can be achieved through a variety of formats. The most obvious is to keep the group of women themselves up to date directly, but letting other women know what the group has been doing can inspire others. This can be achieved through social media, websites, vlogs or blogs that are created by the women. There is no end to the options if women are allowed to be creative.
You can also send in your information to Wise Women, and if your project reflects our beliefs and values, we may be able to upload your information to our website. We are also happy to update it as your project progresses. Just update your Framework Monitoring Form and return to GWVSN@wisewomen.org.uk.