personal story

The role of personal storytelling in practice (IRISS Insights, No 23)

Evidence summary that explores what story and storytelling is, and whether autobiographical, first-person storytelling has a valuable impact on practice, and can engender positive meaningful change for individuals who access support.

It examines how storytelling has been used across social services to date, considers its value, and highlights some considerations for those creating and using stories. Case study evidence is provided to showcase the benefits of storytelling in practice.

The road from crime

Video story of Alan Weaver, a former prisoner who successfully desisted from criminal behaviour. It was produced as part of a project to share knowledge and improve understanding about why people desist from offending.

Personal stories

A series of written stories that illustrate how the divide between health and social care affects people's lives. They have been included in the Commission on the Future of Health and Social Care call for evidence.

The Waiting Room: storytelling project

A location-based (US) social media and community engagement initiative that aims to improve the patient experience through the collection and sharing of digital content. This cultural data - video, data visualisations, photographs and text - is collected in the waiting room by creating frameworks for sharing that range from anonymous expressions of feeling to deeper storytelling.

The primary aim of the resource is to uncover the needs of underserved patients at a moment when the role of the 'safety net' is being debated both in America and abroad.