What is a roundtable meeting?
A roundtable meeting is a regular meeting where Deaf BSL users and representatives from the local council come together to discuss issues affecting the Deaf community.
The purpose of the meeting is to:
- Discuss local issues and concerns.
- Share experiences and views.
- Build better communication between Deaf BSL users and the council.
- Work together to improve services.
How to set up a roundtable meeting
Planning ahead helps meetings run smoothly.
Before the meeting:
- Prepare an agenda.
- Choose a suitable date, time and venue.
- Invite local Deaf BSL users.
- Invite representatives from the local council.
Who should be involved?
A successful roundtable meeting should include:
- Deaf BSL users.
- Local council representatives.
- BSL/English interpreters to ensure communication is accessible for everyone.
Additional organisations or service providers may also be invited where appropriate.
What to do during the meeting
During the meeting:
- Follow the agreed agenda.
- Make notes of the main discussion points.
- Stay focused and keep the discussion on track.
- Discuss important issues.
- Allow time for questions and answers (Q&A).
What to do after the meeting
After the meeting:
- Share any issues raised with the council.
- Follow up on agreed actions.
- Invite different council departments or services to future meetings where relevant.
- Keep participants informed of progress.
Review the outcome
At the next meeting:
- Report back on any progress or actions taken.
- Update everyone on the outcomes.
- Discuss any new issues.
- Plan the next roundtable meeting.
Regular meetings help build stronger relationships between councils and Deaf BSL users and support continuous improvement.
Contact
Helen Morgans-Wenhold
BDA Scotland
Email: helen.morgans-wenhold@bda.org.uk
Text: 07885 367674
FaceTime / WhatsApp: 07885 367674