This case study is part of a series supporting the toolkit for communicators on citizen participation. Read the full toolkit for communicators supporting citizen participation. The toolkit was created by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Innovative, Digital and Open Governance (INDIGO) Division in collaboration with UK Government Communications.
Process
The People’s Panel for Wellbeing: 2022 and Beyond was established to provide members of the public with a platform to share their perspectives, experiences and ideas on wellbeing in Scotland. While the panel primarily focused on the COVID-19 recovery period, it also explored other pressing issues such as the cost-of-living crisis and community resilience.
To ensure a diversity of viewpoints, the panel aimed to recruit 30 adults living in Scotland with varied experiences of the pandemic. Across six panel events, 24 citizens participated, with attendance at individual sessions ranging from 15 to 23.
The analysis was conducted in two stages. Key themes were identified and shared with ministers and policy officials within two weeks of each session. Findings were also presented back to participants at the following event, fostering transparency and continuity. Panel members were invited to complete post-event surveys to provide feedback on their experience and the process.
Role of communications
The panel highlighted the essential role of accessible communication. Participants emphasised the need for simplified language, visual aids and localised information to improve understanding. The Scottish Government supported this by using a range of communication channels to raise public awareness of the panel. Official reports and summaries were published on government websites to ensure public access. Parliamentary debates referencing the panel’s recommendations were broadcast and documented, reinforcing the panel’s visibility. Media coverage and press releases further spotlighted the panel’s role in shaping post-COVID policy discussions.
Outcome
The process aimed to empower citizens to contribute meaningfully to public discourse, with outputs directly shared with the government. A detailed report was published by the research team summarising the panel’s findings. The Scottish Government committed to using these insights to inform relevant policies and services, grounded in a deeper understanding of the wellbeing challenges faced by people during and after the pandemic.