Abstract
Background: Storytelling is an important tool for enacting relational approaches to Practice Development in care homes. Using storytelling methods in Practice Development can enhance care home communities' capacity how this method can lead to enhanced practice.
Methods: The method described in this article is the Learning and Innovating from Everyday Excellence (L.I.F.E) Session method developed as a culture change initiative by My Home L.I.F.E Facilitators in Scotland. L.I.F.E Sessions aim to take stories from everyday practice and use a structured format of 4 questions, to help people talk about the ideals collaboratively and practical ideas that can be taken forward to benefit those who live, work in or visit the care setting.
Description and reflection on storytelling method using illustrative examples: Fourteen L.I.F.E (SnipChat) Sessions took place as part of a broader study exploring community in care home research study, the Kinections Project. Key reflections elicited using illustrative examples from 3 of these storytelling sessions are that the storytelling sessions (1) helped move stories from the specific (one resident) to the universal (practice development and culture change that can benefit everyone in the home) (2) involve a process which could in itself support development of connection among those involved in the session (3) inspired and encouraged people to feel confident to bring their learning and ideas into practice in a timely way.
Conclusion: This article illustrates how the L.I.F.E Session method can be used to structure a discussion that uses a short everyday story as the route into a generative conversation, that can inspire innovation in practice.
Implications for Practice:
· L.I.F.E Sessions provide a format for illustrating the significance and potential for learning and development from ordinary, everyday experiences in care homes that can be facilitated reasonably quickly, with a wide range of people and across a wide range of topics.
· L.I.F.E Sessions can facilitate generative experiences and encourage generative outcomes through those involved feeling inspired and enabled to take forward small, tangible ideas and actions.
Methods: The method described in this article is the Learning and Innovating from Everyday Excellence (L.I.F.E) Session method developed as a culture change initiative by My Home L.I.F.E Facilitators in Scotland. L.I.F.E Sessions aim to take stories from everyday practice and use a structured format of 4 questions, to help people talk about the ideals collaboratively and practical ideas that can be taken forward to benefit those who live, work in or visit the care setting.
Description and reflection on storytelling method using illustrative examples: Fourteen L.I.F.E (SnipChat) Sessions took place as part of a broader study exploring community in care home research study, the Kinections Project. Key reflections elicited using illustrative examples from 3 of these storytelling sessions are that the storytelling sessions (1) helped move stories from the specific (one resident) to the universal (practice development and culture change that can benefit everyone in the home) (2) involve a process which could in itself support development of connection among those involved in the session (3) inspired and encouraged people to feel confident to bring their learning and ideas into practice in a timely way.
Conclusion: This article illustrates how the L.I.F.E Session method can be used to structure a discussion that uses a short everyday story as the route into a generative conversation, that can inspire innovation in practice.
Implications for Practice:
· L.I.F.E Sessions provide a format for illustrating the significance and potential for learning and development from ordinary, everyday experiences in care homes that can be facilitated reasonably quickly, with a wide range of people and across a wide range of topics.
· L.I.F.E Sessions can facilitate generative experiences and encourage generative outcomes through those involved feeling inspired and enabled to take forward small, tangible ideas and actions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 6 |
| Journal | The International Practice Development Journal |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 May 2021 |
Keywords
- storytelling
- generativity
- appreciative enquiry
- care homes
- learning
- community
