Page 27 - WCEN Dr Rochelle Burgess evaluation report\ Baloon

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Processes of Change
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Processes of Changee

Data from each of the four research phases highlighted that across the model, change occurred at four
key levels: identities, ideas, practices and at an individual level. Crucially, changes within phase zero
set the foundations for meaningful changes in phase 1 and 2. It is also important to note, that the
divisions in these levels is for the purposes of clarity in reporting – in reality, many of these shifts
occurred in tandem, feeding into and informing each other in ways that could not always be divorced
from the other. These shifts are presented as if they were the ‘outcomes’ of phase 0.
Shifting Identities
The community groups involved in WCEN demonstrated a shift in their self-perception. This shift
allowed them to participate in more meaningful ways within the context of their organizations and wider
networks activities. The notion of participation is interlinked closely with ideas of empowerment and in
some instances; participation is identified as empowerment or as an outcome of feeling empowered
(White, 1986). For the purpose of reporting, participation is viewed as an outcome of being empowered.
The ability to participate, as a result of feeling empowered, was linked to crucial aspects of phase 0,
namely, capacity building, identification and recognition of community assets and a space for political
and social dialogue. The data reveals that community groups were able to participate on a number of
platforms in ways which align with transformative participation and had shifted away from nominal or
instrumental participation (White, 1996)
Reoccurring themes from interviews and focus group discussions signified that community groups felt
they were more confident and able to engage with statutory agencies, inform and contribute to
discussions on how health (health-related) services should be organized and delivered and lastly, to
challenge wider social injustices. The community groups’ ability to participate with statutory agencies
included being more confident to engage, knowing who to engage with and how, also feeling that their
participation could make a difference.
In the accounts presented, it was evident that network members had started to be more active in their
engagement with statutory agencies in a number of ways. For example, in one interview it was revealed
that, as a result of the networks interest in addressing health inequalities, they had now become involved
in a number of strategic boards and meetings, which allowed them to input into decision making around
mental health care services. Later in the interview, it was also revealed that participation had shifted
from merely being present at meetings to being able to participate in ways that meant they could express
their views, as well as question and challenge decisions, and in turn make a difference through their
participation.
‘Certainly for me, when I started, I knew very little about mental health. I remember the first time
when I got co-opted onto what was at that time the mental health partnership board, it was just
new in terms of not only the material as it were, the content, but the whole process, how they
worked, what their protocols were etc. and thankfully this woman, who was a partner (unclear)
and she gave me a whole lot of insights into what sorts of things I should expect and what terms
meant, what abbreviations meant and all of those sorts of things and that was very very helpful.
I now feel that I appear at a number of meetings with key decision makers and work with them
on different things and that definitely has been a shift that’s come out of the relationship’ –
community organisations interview - female
‘… there was a time when people would just be spoken at and they’d sit back and now people
are questioning, they’re digging and they’re delving and so on, so I do agree that it definitely has
changed’ – Community organisations interview - female

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