Talking ’bout a revolution: five things we learnt in the pub

“All the best revolutions,” said Sheila Moroney, “began in pubs.”

I didn’t know, but didn’t disagree. We were reflecting on our event (in a south London pub) to bring together 60 people to talk about the Patient Revolution for careful and kind care. “For example, I was reading about one which started in a pub which became Dumbledore’s Army, and took down Lord Voldemort.” Oh.

But even when we rule out fictional revolutions, I think Sheila is on to something. The Boston Tea Party? Started in the Green Dragon Tavern. French Revolution? Café du Caveau. This shouldn’t be surprising – revolutions spring from an exchange of ideas, a convening of people, a sense of purpose so strong that action becomes inevitable.

It’s this way of seeing change – in health and in life – as something fundamentally social, which is at the heart of all that we do at Kaleidoscope. It’s why we’ve been honoured to work with Sheila, Victor Montori, Maggie Breslin and others for some years.

It’s why we think that advancing careful and kind care will be built upon events where the invitation is not to turn up as a job title in a suit, but as yourself as you.

So what did we learn which could help others run similar pub revolutions? Five points.

1. Don’t overcomplicate

In our seven years as Kaleidoscope, we’ve run hundreds of events, so we do sort of know what we’re doing. But we also know what we shouldn’t be doing. We’re not overflowing with cash, so we needed a venue that was accessible (both on a map and all-ability friendly), big enough, but also inexpensive. Food? No sorry, it’s London, find somewhere else to eat. Free bar? No again (but we will subsidise your drink of choice).

It wasn’t a big space, so no chance of table discussions or anything fancy. So a simple design: drink, listen, talk, leave.

2. Diversity of voices, but keep it short

The event was built around Victor happening to be in town and happy to talk. But a revolution can never be about one person, so we also invited four wonderful others to speak: Matthew Trainer from Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals, Georgi Daluiso-King from Here, Alf Collins from NHS England, and Dominique Allwood from UCL Partners.

Everyone had only a couple of minutes, but more than enough to share what the revolution meant for them in their context. It set the tone for what we wanted all of the conversation in the room to be – focused on why this means so much to people, what they’re doing about, and what they’re curious to learn.

3. Be clear where the power lies (not with you)

In the nicest possible way, we at Kaleidoscope weren’t interested in what people were going to do the day after. It’s not that we don’t care (we do, deeply), but the last thing we wanted was for people to feel they had to account to us for what they were going to do (or not) next. So there was no asking for commitments or pledges. The power sat with those in the room.

Of course, revolutions need corralling, coaxing and cajoling. But if you’re running an event like this, don’t hand anyone a get out of jail free card. The focus is on what they’re personally going to be taking away, whether or not they tell you about it.

4. Make it enjoyable

We often start training sessions by asking people about the best event they’ve ever been to. It’s a beautiful conversation to get into, usually covering weddings, birthdays, celebrations and beyond.

We’re still waiting for someone to answer ‘a healthcare conference’… while they may be built for professional efficiency, there’s not a huge amount to be found in terms of personal joy. So if you’re inviting people into a space where you want them as people not professions, make it something they might like. Our event was supposed to end at 9pm, we left with people still going at 10.30pm.

5. A way to capture the feel, not the actions

Unsurprisingly this wasn’t the sort of event which was going to have a nice set of formal minutes typed up and circulated afterwards. Again, the power, the agency, the actions, have to sit with those who came. This was an event with no attendees, just participants. But how to share how it felt? Twitter is one good way. A short video another (shout out to the supremely talented Grant Knight). But again, don’t overcomplicate it.

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So, what’s stopping you? Genuine question. We’re here to help if we can. Wishing fellow comrades the very best of luck.