When to feedback
Giving feedback at different stages of the influence and participation process helps you to keep people informed and let them know how you're using their input.
Initial feedback – immediately after the activity
- Thank people for their time and explain how important their involvement is to your organisation and its work.
- Remind people about what their contribution will be used for.
- Explain what will happen next and give people an idea of timeframes, so that everyone knows where they stand.
- Ask people for their feedback on the session. This can be used to improve future activities.
Interim feedback - during the project
Sometimes it's helpful to send interim feedback to people. Projects often run for many months and waiting a long time without feedback can leave people feeling adrift.
- Think about sending an update on the work so far. If you can, include a summary of what you've learned and outline the next steps. This will help people feel like they're still part of the process.
- Don’t forget to let everyone know when you will be in touch again.
Template feedback form
This template will help you to ask consistent questions across all your lived experience activities.
The feedback people give you will help you understand people's experience of taking part. It'll also help you identify changes you need to make to future activities.
Full feedback – when the project is complete
- Give more detailed feedback at the end of the project. Explain the impact participants have made, and what improved or changed as a result.
- If people’s ideas weren't used, or the project’s outcome wasn't as expected, explain why.
- Give copies of or links to resources you developed as a result of people’s participation. For example, leaflets, videos or online tools.
- Ask participants for their feedback on the process. Find out the impact that taking part had on them. Use this to make improvements next time.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
