Interviews and Discussions
Interviews and discussions have formed the basis of most of my work, since this is one of the main ways of finding out about people's experiences, their views - and their ideas.
Sometimes, interviews take place in someone's home - perhaps in their house or flat, in a care or nursing home, or in extra care or sheltered housing - and just involve me and the person taking part. Other time, interviews are held in a quiet room at a service the person is using, such as a day centre or a hospital.
Other times, there might be group discussions involving a range of people in different venues - perhaps including health, housing or care professionals as well as those who use services.
Interviews might also be carried out over the 'phone, rather than in person - this can be useful if the person can't be visited for some reason, or if they are very busy and a telephone call would work better for them.
Examples of interviews I've carried out, and discussions I've led or contributed to include:
Other examples: in 2016, I discussed the idea of sharing your home with someone - via HomeShare - with older people in the north east of England; in 2015, I talked with a range of people with disabilities about being consumers, and their experiences of using energy and communication companies, shops, and leisure facilities. I also asked people in their 50s and older with direct experience of mental ill health, about what sorts of support they would hope to see charities develop. In 2014, I ran a number of discussions with people who are retired from paid work about how they might keep hold of and continue to pursue their wishes and goals during any future periods of ill health or disability.
I've also been a case study - or rather, after she'd died, I shared one of the things that happened for my mum in terms of the services she received when she was ill - so I understand something of what it's like to be on the other end of the experience (www.equalityhumanrights.com).
How can I help you?
Interviewing involves making sure those taking part feel at ease, understand the sorts of questions that might come up, how long it might all take - and what will happen to the information once it has been shared.
A major part of my role when interviewing or leading discussions is to listen very carefully to what is being said, to make sure that the views, experiences, or issues that people share are properly explored at the time, and accurately represented afterwards.
Discussions in a group tend to be recorded on a flip chart, or a whiteboard, and typed up as a Word document for the client.
Notes can be taken of individual interviews (and shared), or interviews can be recorded digitally and the full recording shared with the organisation's transcribers.
A 'pen picture' of interviewees and group members can be provided.
The major themes (as well as the more unusual issues) can also be identified and highlighted, and a commentary provided - for example, placing comments in the context of current policy developments.
If you'd like to ask me about doing some interviewing for your organisation, or running (or facilitating) a workshop or group discussion, please get in touch.
I've also been collecting, recording and sharing people's stories - including case studies - through photofilms. If you're interested in knowing more, please get in touch.
Sometimes, interviews take place in someone's home - perhaps in their house or flat, in a care or nursing home, or in extra care or sheltered housing - and just involve me and the person taking part. Other time, interviews are held in a quiet room at a service the person is using, such as a day centre or a hospital.
Other times, there might be group discussions involving a range of people in different venues - perhaps including health, housing or care professionals as well as those who use services.
Interviews might also be carried out over the 'phone, rather than in person - this can be useful if the person can't be visited for some reason, or if they are very busy and a telephone call would work better for them.
Examples of interviews I've carried out, and discussions I've led or contributed to include:
- Recording the stories of people living at home who are happy with the home care and support they receive (and taking and sharing their photos, always with permission)
- Interviews with people in Sussex who had had (or were having) treatment for cancer, about the financial impact cancer has had on their lives (www.macmillan.org.uk)
- Discussions with Local Area Coordinator (LAC) staff in Thurrock, and Suffolk, about finding out about and sharing the stories about the people they work with
- Discussions with older people in Dorset - about cars, driving, and being a driver in older age
- Interviews with care staff, commissioners, professional bodies, and policy staff, about home care services
- Discussions with older people living in nursing homes, their families, and the staff working with them, about keeping connected with their local community and amenities.
Other examples: in 2016, I discussed the idea of sharing your home with someone - via HomeShare - with older people in the north east of England; in 2015, I talked with a range of people with disabilities about being consumers, and their experiences of using energy and communication companies, shops, and leisure facilities. I also asked people in their 50s and older with direct experience of mental ill health, about what sorts of support they would hope to see charities develop. In 2014, I ran a number of discussions with people who are retired from paid work about how they might keep hold of and continue to pursue their wishes and goals during any future periods of ill health or disability.
I've also been a case study - or rather, after she'd died, I shared one of the things that happened for my mum in terms of the services she received when she was ill - so I understand something of what it's like to be on the other end of the experience (www.equalityhumanrights.com).
How can I help you?
Interviewing involves making sure those taking part feel at ease, understand the sorts of questions that might come up, how long it might all take - and what will happen to the information once it has been shared.
A major part of my role when interviewing or leading discussions is to listen very carefully to what is being said, to make sure that the views, experiences, or issues that people share are properly explored at the time, and accurately represented afterwards.
Discussions in a group tend to be recorded on a flip chart, or a whiteboard, and typed up as a Word document for the client.
Notes can be taken of individual interviews (and shared), or interviews can be recorded digitally and the full recording shared with the organisation's transcribers.
A 'pen picture' of interviewees and group members can be provided.
The major themes (as well as the more unusual issues) can also be identified and highlighted, and a commentary provided - for example, placing comments in the context of current policy developments.
If you'd like to ask me about doing some interviewing for your organisation, or running (or facilitating) a workshop or group discussion, please get in touch.
I've also been collecting, recording and sharing people's stories - including case studies - through photofilms. If you're interested in knowing more, please get in touch.
