Collaboration and service user involvement were very much at the core of last month’s Ideas Generator workshops, both of which centred on gathering the many opinions of those we support.
Building on the success of the roadshows staged since 2022, the first two Ideas Generators of this year welcomed almost 200 people across two venues: the Galgorm in Ballymena and Omagh’s Mellon Country Inn.
Ideas Generators are now well established fixtures on the Inspire calendar, affording everyone the opportunity to get involved in the life of Inspire. By connecting people, we exchange ideas and create new ways of doing things.
Last year, attendees offered up a rich tapestry of experiences and insights, each one its own story. This feedback proved invaluable in the crafting of two key documents: our general election manifesto, Inspire 20Four, and our response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s programme for government consultation. Beyond this, our 2024 Ideas Generator fuelled our two-phase If It’s Okay campaign.
In 2025, the individuals who access our services are fundamental to the high-level process of shaping of the organisation’s next strategic plan. Indeed, our recent Belfast City Hall Takeover – designed to foster civic and community engagement during World Mental Health Week – also incorporated a specific focus on the strategic plan.
These are vital conversations. After all: nothing about us, without us.