Viewfinder:Bristol’s YouTube – The Future of Consultation?

Viewfinder

• Using the principles of popular websites that encourage user generated content

• Allows two way communication

• Humanises the consultation process

• Using contemporary methods of communication

Engaging young people

• Traditional methods of participation not appealing to young people

• We involved young people in the development of the site

• Formed an advisory group from members of the Bristol Young People’s forum

• Website built and hosted by Public-IUses open source technology so low cost

Objectives

• Can some of the popularity of UG websites be transferred to council consultations?

• Are people comfortable using video technology to engage with the council and each other?

• Encourage participation from those who don’t get involved in traditional methods

• Humanise the consultation process

Influencing decisions

• Included in reports, but decision makers can also view the feedback

• Outcomes can then be fed back on the site in an easily accessible way

• Viewers absorb information without having to read lots of text

Evaluation

• Evaluation questionnaire on the website

• Young People’s forum evaluated it

• It is a Beta site, so able to continually change it in response to feedback

Has it worked?

• Many people have chosen the ‘text’ route

• Good way to feed out information• Improvements to design and user

friendliness• Potential for lots more publicity –

looking for a catchy topic• Has encouraged people who don’t

normally participate

What next?

• Has potential to grow

• Incorporating it with other consultation tools – one website for people to feed in to decision makers in the way THEY choose

• Not intended to replace traditional methods

Contacts

• Anna.mcdermott@bristol.gov.uk

• Catherine.howe@public-I.info