Nechells Knows - FAQs
The deadline to register has now passed. If you’re interested in hearing about the other ways you can take part, please click on the button above.
What is a community assembly?
A community assembly is a form of a citizens’ assembly – an approach that is used all over the world to ensure residents get their voices heard on issues like climate change, social care and the housing crisis. Community assemblies bring together a group of people that represent the whole community and support them to learn and discuss a topic with each other. Together, they make recommendations about what should happen and how things should change.
When is it happening?
The assembly will run across 18 hours over seven sessions in August and September 2021. We are trying to be flexible on when these happen, to make sure as many people as possible can take part. As long as it is safe, we will get together in Nechells for some in-person sessions. We’ll also make some of the sessions online, so you can take part in your own time.
What will taking part involve?
If you are selected to take part, you will have the opportunity to meet with different people that live in and care about Nechells. You will hear from speakers who will present evidence to help you think about the question:
What do we need from our home and neighbourhood now and in the future, for everyone in Nechells to live a good life?
You will have the opportunity to ask them questions, and then discuss in small groups with other participants. Facilitators will help to make sure everyone in the group has their voice heard.
No one is more of an expert about living in Nechells than the people that actually live there, so you don’t need to have any experience or particular knowledge to take part. Any information you need, or support you might require to take part, will be provided. At the end of the assembly, we will ask for your feedback to learn more about what you thought of the process.
How will it be accessible?
The sessions will take place both online and in-person. If you don’t have access to a device or internet, please let us know when you register and we can discuss what you might need to take part. Any in-person sessions will take place in Nechells and reasonable travel expenses can also be covered. Support is also available to learn the skills needed to take part in the assembly. This might include support on how to use video calling platforms, or how to speak confidently in front of people.
If you have other support needs, for example issues with hearing or vision, or need to arrange childcare, let us know about your specific requirements. We can try to make adjustments to ensure everyone gets to take part if they want to.
If you are selected to take part, you will receive £270 as a thank you for your time. It is very important that if you are claiming state benefits, you double check how receiving any payments might impact you. If you would prefer to not be paid, you can still take part.
I’m interested. How can I register to join?
It’s easy! You just have to let us know you’re interested by registering online or by phone. Information for registering to join can be found at the end of the FAQs.
What happens after I register?
It’s important that the community assembly represents the community, so we will ask you to fill out a short survey with some basic information about you. Support is available to help fill out the survey if you would like it. If you are selected, we will arrange a call with you to confirm you are able to attend all the sessions, discuss any requirements you might have, and explain what happens next. We will be in touch no later than 26th July to confirm whether you have been selected to take part.
How will you decide who gets to take part?
It’s important that the Community Assembly represents the community, so we will ask you to fill out a short survey with some basic information about you. With this information we will be able to fairly select a group of people to participate who represent the different people that live in Nechells. We might not be able to involve everyone who registers to join the Community Assembly, but we will let you know if you have been selected or not.
There is more than one person in this household, can only one of us apply?
No – anyone in Nechells over the age of 18 is able to apply and that includes anyone in you r household. Anyone that wants to take part must register to join, online or by phone. Information for registering to join can be found at the end of the FAQs.
Can I tell my friends and family about this in case they want to join too?
Please do! We encourage as many people as possible to register to join. If they would like to get in touch to request more information, they can visit www.thersa.org/Nechells-Knows.
I don’t want to take part, how can I let you know?
This is the only direct contact you will have from us unless you register to join, so if you don’t want to take part you don’t need to do anything.
How did you get my address?
Your household was one of 1000 addresses in Nechells that was randomly selected from the Royal Mail address database. We’ve done this so that everyone has an equal chance at taking part. Your address has been chosen but we don’t know anything more about you or your household. You aren’t on any mailing lists as a result of this and unless you register to join, we won’t contact you again.
Who is running it?
The RSA will be facilitating the Community Assembly. The RSA are an organisation who want to see a world where everyone can participate in their future. We work towards this through researching the challenges facing neighbourhoods and communities and supporting people and the organisations around them to think of new ways of doing things. We bring new ideas to policymakers and those who support local communities to help them make decisions. Find out more about us by visiting www.thersa.org/Nechells-Knows.
The Community Assembly is being funded by the Oak Foundation, a charitable organisation who support housing and home lessness projects in Birmingham and across the UK and the world. You can find out more about their work by visiting www.oakfnd.org.
I have more questions. Who can I ask?
You can call Freephone 0800 211 8009, Monday-Friday 08:00 AM-07:00 PM. You can also email NechellsKnows@rsa.org.uk with any questions you might have.
Visit https://www.thersa.org/privacy to find out how we handle your data.
