Been there and worn the T-shirt
I enjoy speaking with people, and finding out about their experiences; I enjoy it even more if I know that the outcome of the conversations (the research) will mean a potential beneficial impact on services which people use; in Barking and Dagenham over the last few weeks I have been privileged to use my own experience of substance misuse , probation and prison to spark up conversations with people using drugs services in the Borough seeking to understand their experiences and feelings about domestic abuse and how it is handled in the services.
I know it’s a sensitive subject, and I approached it sensitively, not forcing conversation. I had a questionnaire which helped get people thinking about the issue, so we didn’t have to start from zero…and it was surprising how easily I was able to get to 40 responses and 2 focus groups. People are so much happier to talk once they know you have been there and worn the T shirt, even starred in the film, I share my own experience, so people will know I don’t judge and that they can talk freely…and they do.
