Channels of communication

• Email newsletters, posters in public places and social media are the three most popular channels of communication with over 50% of respondents selecting one or more of these

This chart shows that:
55% of respondents would like to be consulted with and made aware of current consultations by email newsletters
52% of respondents would like to be consulted with and made aware of current consultations by posters in public spaces
50% of respondents would like to be consulted with and made aware of current consultations through social media
30% of respondents would like to be consulted with and made aware of current consultations through face to face consultation events
29% of respondents would like to be consulted with and made aware of current consultations through leaflets through the door
7% of respondents would like to be consulted with and made aware of current consultations by local door knocking
6% of respondents would like to be consulted with and made aware of current consultations by other methods

This table displays the other ways respondents would like to be consulted with and made aware of current consultations. These are through, supermarket notice boards, other unspecified social media, billboards, YouTube, the local radio and TV, Online consultation events, text messages and leaflets with more attention-grabbing headlines.

How would you like to be made aware of, and consulted about, surveys or policy initiatives?

All the usual methods are mentioned. The range of options is important and should be used in combination to reach as wide an audience as possible and fill the perceived information void. Efforts should be made wherever possible to capture consent and contact details from these seldom heard groups to enable repeat contact for different engagement and consultation initiatives.

• Emails
• Social media both direct on Portsmouth City Council portals but also amplified by asking organisations with social media channels to post information. Not just Facebook. For the younger demographics, TikTok and Instagram are the preferred platforms. Taking advantage of the flexibility of digital to create tailored communications that talk to a specific audience in their language
• Face-to-face engagement events e.g. at food banks, family-friendly fun days,
• “Meeting people where they are” whether that is physically or virtually
• Online and postal surveys
• Flyers in public places e.g. doctor’s surgeries, libraries, the Hive
• Newspapers/newsletters with a round-up of the month’s activities
• Informal workshops like these, consultations in the lobby of the civic offices
• Ethnic private radio stations

Other suggestions

• Create a list of VCSE organisations whose members/communities could be contacted for feedback on a regular basis
• Use the Youth Cabinet to spread awareness in schools of current engagement efforts or consultations