More on the importance of listening...

Listening to other people in a community is really important if you're hoping to make effective changes. That's all that consultation really is. It's a kind of conversation, where people come together to help each other out.

Earlier this year the Hemmingwell Action Group and the official Neighbourhood Renewal Officer at the local council decided an artist-in-residence could help the area. At the same time, children in local schools were working with police in the 'Young Detectives Scheme' (part of a county-wide initiative in schools). The children told the police they felt unsafe in the shopping area of the Hemmingwell.

About this time, the council's arts officer was also thinking about recruiting for an artist, under her bienniale artist-in-resident scheme.

All these groups of people came together and decided:

• an artist-in-residence
• in the Hemmingwell
• working to improve the area
• around the shops
• with the particular help of children

would be a good idea. (I love it when a plan comes together!)

So, that's how consultation works in practice and why we have an artist-in-residence this year.