Reflections from our Learning Partner, Yu-Shan at TSIC

I remember the first community workshop I did for The Giving Lab as a Learning Partner - I meticulously prepared quite a packed agenda, with a long list of learning questions I’d like to explore with the community and giving each 15 minutes. I was ready to power through the meeting and draw out as many insights as I could in the 2 hours we had together. But as soon as I arrived, I realised my carefully laid plans would need some adjusting.

The community members trickled in a bit late, and the icebreaker exercise took much longer than I anticipated – It was about people pinpointing where they are from in Walworth and what motivated them to come to The Giving Lab. People had so much to share. It quickly became clear that my detailed agenda didn't quite align with the community's more immediate concerns and priorities. Rather than forge ahead with my original plan, I made the decision to get flexible.

I was a resident of Walworth at that time, but being a consultant somehow affected how I showed up. I put my "consultant hat" aside for a bit and tried my best to meet the community members where they were at – and also, just bring more of the resident side of me to the space. It was a liberating shift in mindset. Instead of trying to drive the conversation, I adapted my methods to be more participatory and community-led. We had some engaging conversations rather than a formal discussion, and I focused on actively listening rather than speaking. 

“Being a consultant somehow affected how I showed up. I put my "consultant hat" aside for a bit and tried my best to meet the community members where they were at.“

This experience has truly transformed how I approach my work with The Giving Lab over time. I no longer plan overly structured agendas - I come prepared, but open to following the community's lead. I use more community-based evaluation methods as well. It's been an ongoing process of learning and adaptation, but it's made me a much more effective, empathetic and creative learning partner for The Giving Lab community. I'm so grateful for that mindset shift – it's allowed me to engage with the community in a truly meaningful way.

Yu-Shan and Daniel at a Giving Lab event