But, exactly what is an inquiry?

At Marmalade, we look at how organisations can collaborate and learn together, changing how they do things to drive social change throughout Oxford. In the past few months, we’ve launched 3 inquiries to help us learn what that could look like. But, exactly what is an inquiry?

A question that may seem both incredibly simple and strangely like a trick question. Especially as these inquiries in particular are geared towards transforming an entire city - something that can seem like an insurmountable, and complex task. And, might feel like only people in certain positions and organisations can achieve. 

This is why over the coming 12 months, as we explore these inquiries, we want to really simplify everything and get to the crux of it all - cutting through the lengthy processes, ring-fencing, and confusing jargon. So that everyone can know the core of what we’re doing - which is simply bringing people of all backgrounds together, to make Oxford a fair place where all voices are heard.

So, simply put, an inquiry is a group of people working together to find answers to questions raised by the issues they’ve had. They disrupt the current ways of doing things by testing new ways of working. The end goal is for us to learn what works and what doesn’t, to help us influence change, influence other organisations to work differently and influence the system as a whole. 

Many people came together during Marmalade Week earlier this year to begin that process of learning through having conversations, sharing experiences and opinions and bringing to the forefront challenges, ideas and questions. And it wasn’t just one group of people. But individuals with lived experience of the challenges faced by the community, members of local authorities, volunteers, organisers of community action groups, and more. 

Who can get involved with the inquiries & how?

When we say we want everyone who wants to help make a difference in their city, we 100% mean it. So, It might be that you’re a citizen that’s gone through some of the challenges that service providers work to help people solve. If so, we’d love to hear what can you share with us. What have you always wanted authorities and organisations to know, to make living better for others? 

Alternatively, you may work in a community organisation and you’re regularly asked by funders, commissioners or partners to carry out processes which, rather than allowing you to effectively help people, distracts you from the crucial work you’re doing. Your contribution to the inquiries may be identifying if and how you can push back. Or, to simply raise the question of ‘why’? 

And of course, you may be in a local authority, looking to deepen your understanding of the lived experiences of the people you support, in order to improve the way you support them. 

These are just a few examples of what may lead people to get involved with our work. Essentially, the key thing is that regardless of your station, it’s the small actions you take and even the simplest of questions you ask, that can become a catalyst for greater change. 

Whether that be approaching your organisation to see if there’s something they can do to improve their services. I.e. changing a question on a form to make it more relevant, or tweaking a process to make it more manageable for service users. Or, starting an entirely new approach around project planning, measurement, or other means of helping people.

So, consider this your official invitation to get involved in shaping your city! Regardless of your role, organisation, or living situation, your perspective is vital in making that a possibility! Getting involved can look different depending on your situation. Here are a few ways to join us: 

  • If you work with families in OX4 and would like to be part of the meaningful measurement Clear Signal experiment exploring ways of generating bottom-up data, CLICK HERE. 

  • If you are a funder and interested in more participatory approaches to grantmaking, we are launching the second round of the Leys Community Fund and welcome you to CLICK HERE. (Thank you to those who have already been in touch!) 

  • If you work in a charity or public service, you can help us explore how to value different types of experience and expertise that come from those organisations. You may also want to draw learnings from our Parent Power work to date. CLICK HERE. 

Even if you’re not sure how you wish to get involved, but know you want to be part of this meaningful project, you can also:

Or simply drop us an email at hello@marmalade.io and we’ll be happy to connect and share more information!