CLIENT:
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and ZonMw
Partners:
Cliëntenbelang Noord-Holland and InHolland University of Applied Sciences
Question:
Form a broad coalition that can and wants to take on the preparation of the organization and realization of the participation hub.
Process:
Appreciative Inquiry and World Café
Results:
- Energetic exchange between residents and professionals
- Principles for the participation hub
- Enthusiasm to work on the follow-up together
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) wants to set up regional participation hubs for health, healthcare and support throughout the Netherlands. Places where residents can make their voices heard and connect with policymakers and healthcare professionals. To work together on future-proof policies and implementation.
Cliëntenbelang Noord-Holland approached Petra de Boer of Perspectivity to work together on the preparations for the Participation Hub in Kennemerland.
Planning group
Together with a small planning group with residents and professionals from the region, we first sharpened the central question: ‘How do we ensure strong and lasting cooperation between citizens, policy and implementation?’ We then mapped the stakeholder field, initially choosing to focus on residents: patients, clients, informal caregivers, volunteers and citizen initiatives. We invited them to two dialogue meetings, facilitated by Petra and colleague Monique Janmaat.
World Café in action.
Meetings
During the first meeting, the participants shared their experiences. What is going well in the collaboration between citizens, policy and practice? And what are ideas and wishes for the future? This resulted in rich stories and inspiring future scenarios. Connection, simplicity and vitality were named as important themes to further develop together. The group also emphasized that a realistic view of the challenges – including the pressure on the labor market – is essential to achieve sustainable results.
“The most important thing is not to ensure that there is unity, but to ensure that there is diversity. That there are many people with different backgrounds and different ideas in the hub.”
In the second meeting we discussed what is needed for a successful participation hub. What makes the hub valuable to you? Who should participate? How do we organize the hub? Based on this, principles for the Kennemerland participation hub were formulated. Conclusion: The participation hub can be a powerful tool to involve residents in important themes and solutions in the field of health and care, as long as the organization remains flexible and demand-driven. Key concepts: connection, energy, thinking in opportunities and possibilities.
Next step
In the next phase – the so-called expedition phase – focus will be on exchange and learning from other regions and an drawing up an action plan for the region. If the plan is approved, the development of the hub can start in the summer of 2025.
More information?
- Read more about the infrastructure policy participation programme.
- Read more about the preparation of the regional Participation Hub Kennemerland.
- Follow the developments in Kennemerland.
- Questions: Petra de Boer