Facilitating online groups

Right Decisions
Infoforwellbeing
Module 7: Enabling everyone to participate
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Digital inclusion
Facilitating online groups

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

The principles of good group facilitation outlined in Module 5 (Words for Wellbeing) - apply in an online environment as much as in a face to face context.

In this video, Juliet Ridgway-Tait, Healthy Reading Bibliotherapist with Midlothian Libraries, speaks with Stephen Harris, Libraries Development Officer with Midlothian Council, about how to approach the benefits and challenges of online facilitation. (Duration 2min 20s)

Additional barriers to inclusion and participation in online groups

Harder to read body language and emotions
Different levels of technical ability add to other dynamics that can cause power imbalance in a meeting
Harder to maintain energy and attention
Sound and visuals can get distorted
Technology can and often does go wrong

Approaches to address barriers