- The biggest barrier for respondents stopping them from taking part in consultations is not knowing about them (63%)
- Just over a fifth of respondents (22%) experience no barriers in taking part
- Practical barriers such as language, IT skills and access to the internet affect very small proportions of respondents
Barriers
Summary
What barriers exist, if any, to stop you taking part in consultations?
Base: Online sample (232)
This chart shows the barriers that prevent respondents from taking part in consultations. For respondents:
63% of respondents do not know about them
22% of respondents say nothing stops them taking part
11% are not interested
2% do not have internet access
2% say they are not confident online or using a smartphone or computer
1% say English is not their first language so communication is difficult
12% give other reasons as barriers to taking part in consultations
Other barriers mentioned
This table shows the other barriers mentioned for not taking part in consultations. These are:
Too short notice
Not at a convenient time to attend
Participant being disabled or with ill health
Lacking confidence in expressing an opinion
Do not live in Portsmouth
Feel it would not be in their best interests
Goes to the same group of people every time
Communications are too words
Parking is too expensive to attend face to face events
Too busy
| wdt_ID | Other barriers mentioned |
|---|---|
| 12 | Too short notice |
| 13 | Not at a convenient time to attend |
| 14 | Disabled or ill health |
| 15 | Lack confidence in expressing an opinion |
| 16 | Don’t live in Portsmouth |
| 17 | Feel it would not be in their best interests |
| 18 | Goes to the same group of people every time |
| 19 | Communications are too wordy |
| 20 | Parking is too expensive to attend face to face events |
| 21 | Too busy |
Workshop comments
Are there any barriers that make it difficult for you to take part in surveys and consultations?
The fundamental barrier (mentioned by everyone in all workshops) is a lack of information; lack of knowledge about what consultation or engagement is taking place, and where they can find out about it or take part.
The second barrier is the lack of a feedback loop. People feel that their comments or complaints are ignored and they never find out what happens next. This lack of reporting back on progress engenders apathy at best, and anger and mistrust at its worst.
Psychological barriers
- Some don’t want to engage e.g. those with anxiety, mental health issues, some members of ethnic minorities who feel excluded or not listened to
- Fear and mistrust of the council is common. Need to earn trust for people to be willing to engage and share information
- A few mention mistrust of Survey Monkey and where the data goes
Practical barriers
- Language barriers or disabilities can make it difficult to complete an online survey
- Not everyone has access to the necessary IT or devices to take part
- Physical attendance at workshops can be difficult e.g. disabled, expensive parking or no parking available.
