Loomio is a web application used to assist groups with a collaborative decision-making process by allowing the creation of focused topic forums with set deadlines and space for deliberation. The Welsh Assembly first used the application in 2014 as part of the Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry looking into alcohol and substance misuse in Wales.
Loomio was used to facilitate engagement between the committee, service users and providers – many of whom would not otherwise have been an active part of the inquiry because they find the committee meetings intimidating, or struggle to put their thoughts and feelings to the Committee in writing. Service providers and users used the online forum to express issues they had experienced, and what they wanted the Welsh Government to do about it.
At the start of the inquiry a Reference Group was formed of service users and service providers. They initially met in person to help shape the direction and focus of the inquiry. The online Loomio application was used in the period between the first and last meeting to engage service users and service providers. During the online consultation, those running the inquiry split the discussion into five thematic chunks, each accompanied with a summary of what the committee had heard. They asked participating service users and providers to add their thoughts and ideas, as well as exchanging points of view and engaging in discussions.
The online conversation helped shape the discussion at the second Reference Group meeting, which focused on issues which had not already been agreed upon online. As a result of the online tool, those involved reported feeling they had enough time to cover the issues in a comprehensive manner. The meeting took place just before the formal public meeting between the Committee and the Welsh Government Minister, which participants came to watch in person. The engagement with the citizens through Loomio helped inform the Committee in their report to the Welsh Government.
Lessons learned:
- Online discussions give a voice to people who otherwise find it hard to express themselves in offline settings which can be intimidating.
- A Reference Group of citizens can help shape the issues which are put up online for wider deliberation – ensuring that the framework for online discussion is also shaped by citizens or service users.
- Digital tools can be used to supplement offline conversations and so improve the process of decision making overall.
- Online forums provide a space to carry on discussions which may otherwise be limited in scope because of the time and resource pressures associated with in-person events, which may be especially relevant to some detailed conversations regarding devolution.