Granicus
How Barking and Dagenham improved Resident Engagement
How Barking and Dagenham improved Resident Engagement
Details:
- Company: Granicus
- Client: Borough of Barking & Dagenham
- Year: 2019
- Region: England
- Product: EngagementHQ
Service areas:
- Community engagement
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and software solutions
- Organisational digital transformation
Introduction
The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham is a borough in East London of about 220,000 people and growing. As the population grows, so does the need for innovative engagement and civic participation. The borough has taken steps to foster conversations with residents to determine where their interests overlap with the councils responsibilities. To meet residents where they are and provide opportunities to work together, Barking & Dagenham implemented Granicus’ all-in-one digital engagement platform.
Challenges
From Fragmented to Coordinated
Barking & Dagenham had been working with constituents in a fragmented way prior to implementing its engagement platform back in 2019. The borough had been using online survey tools and other technology programmes to reach its residents while also gathering feedback in-person. Additionally, a market research agency conducted an annual resident survey, used to gauge resident priorities, via phone. Officials wanted a more streamlined way to communicate and engage with residents and sought a technological solution that would encourage greater constituent participation.
Barking & Dagenham had been working with constituents in a fragmented way prior to implementing its engagement platform back in 2019. The borough had been using online survey tools and other technology programmes to reach its residents while also gathering feedback in-person. Additionally, a market research agency conducted an annual resident survey, used to gauge resident priorities, via phone. Officials wanted a more streamlined way to communicate and engage with residents and sought a technological solution that would encourage greater constituent participation.
Solutions
Combined Methods Enhance Engagement
Implementing Granicus’ digital engagement platform helped bring technology to those in the borough who aren’t really savvy or who don’t have regular access to technology. Barking & Dagenham officials regularly use the survey function to gather feedback and give residents the opportunity to provide opinions. Residents are encouraged by how easy it is to get involved in community projects.
Implementing Granicus’ digital engagement platform helped bring technology to those in the borough who aren’t really savvy or who don’t have regular access to technology. Barking & Dagenham officials regularly use the survey function to gather feedback and give residents the opportunity to provide opinions. Residents are encouraged by how easy it is to get involved in community projects.
Results
A Platform That Encourages Engagement
The ease of using the digital engagement platform has not only encouraged more resident engagement, but it has allowed the borough to conduct more projects than it did prior to using the platform. Since 2019, Barking & Dagenham has created over 450 projects. Additionally, the borough has received nearly 200,000 website visits over the past four years and weekly newsletter subscriptions grew from a few hundred to over 3,200. The platform has also given Barking & Dagenham officials access to residents’ engagement history.
The ease of using the digital engagement platform has not only encouraged more resident engagement, but it has allowed the borough to conduct more projects than it did prior to using the platform. Since 2019, Barking & Dagenham has created over 450 projects. Additionally, the borough has received nearly 200,000 website visits over the past four years and weekly newsletter subscriptions grew from a few hundred to over 3,200. The platform has also given Barking & Dagenham officials access to residents’ engagement history.
“EngagementHQ helps us have a dialogue with the community, work with our residents, and show that local councils can make a difference.”
Wayne Trevor
Citizens Alliance Network Project Manager, Borough of Barking & Dagenham
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