First Open Space meeting

Posted by on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 04:10 PM

Last Friday we held the first of the two Open Space meetings that are contributing to the review of the organisational design and governance structure. It was a fantastically inspiring event, and I was really interested to hear the range of things that people want us to get right, to carry on doing, to think about, to change and to understand as part of the review process. Some things are underway already - for example, people at the event want us to sort out the website once and for all, so all Centres have their own pages and Brook has one corporate website. This work has already started and we will be launching the new site later in the summer.

This is just one area that people want us to address and other things will take more time. Like how we make sure we have good quality, consistent staff recruitment, training, development, retention and career pathways so that we make sure Brook makes the most of its precious and valuable staff resource, or how we develop a cross-network IT strategy that facilitates positive communication for the whole of Brook.

You won't be surprised to know that the vital issue of young people's involvement in decision making at Brook was a hot topic of conversation and we also talked about how people with learning disabilities are involved, how Brook can lead a change in the funny culture we have about young people and sexuality, how we can make the HPV Vaccine available, how we improve our communication to different stakeholders so we have greater influence and impact, and the different roles we all have across the Network in leading for change.

This doesn't even begin to capture the diversity of issues that people discussed, all of which will be captured in a report of the event. The event generated so much brilliant material that it has led to me to the question that I want to ask staff, volunteers, trustees and other stakeholders:

What is the one most important message that you want me to hear about any area of the organisation that Brook must address if we are to enable more young people to enjoy their sexuality without harm?

Email me at with your thoughts and I will respond directly. Or comment on the blog and start a conversation.

I am really looking forward to the Open Space meeting in Manchester on May 21st and hope to see you there.

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