What?
It’s hard to believe our project is coming to an end! A significant milestone for our group was after all 7 interviews with selected community stakeholders were finished. These interviews were designed by our community partners so that relevant organizations and people in the community could trial the map (Richmond Food Asset Map on Google Maps), ask us questions and then answer a series of our questions to gather their feedback. At this point time, our understanding of this project came full circle as we heard comments like “I will definitely be using this” or, “ If you could make business cards with the link, I could see the people I work with finding this very helpful”. There was a collective sense of completion and pride; as a larger team with other groups, we compiled 30 assets.
These important interviews were the main task in the second stage of our project, aiming to collect as much feedback from professionals and insiders (community stakeholders) as possible to help Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) improve the RFAM before it is published and available to the public. We had some difficulties setting up interview times due to different class schedules and work schedules of all involved. We eventually developed an availability table that helped us organize our interviews. This has taught and re-taught us all that communication is highly important in every aspect of group project work, and every group member’s responsibility to check group messages can’t be understated.
So What?
So far, seven interviews are successfully completed and the one interviewee left was not available during these past weeks. We’ve suggested that this individual fill the questionnaire during their own time and send it back to us via email. By compiling the evaluation forms, we received a number of useful tips that we have aimed to creatively display in our infographic. Some of these responses involve map instructions, content of the map and map accessibility. We are also happy to see that most interviewees showed great interest in this project, asked a lot of questions and expressed that they will be recommending RFAM to their clients and beneficiaries.
Scheduling interviews and travelling to Richmond to meet community stakeholders and community partners was time consuming, but taught us the value of relationship building as it pertains to community based initiatives. Since the Map will predominantly depend on word of mouth to gain traction, these initial interactions were very important. The interview feedback will be used by VCH dietitians (our community partners) to revise the map, making it more comprehensive and suitable for a wide variety of needs. This will take time, however, which brings us to our final thoughts. Now what?
Now What?
It’s a great feeling to know that this project doesn’t stop with us. We were simply the first step; pioneers if you will. Next semester’s teams will continue to build up this map, we hope, and bring closer to fruition the goals it sets out to accomplish. There are undoubtedly assets that we missed in the community of Richmond, and the greatest way we believe to elucidate these assets is to talk to people in the community. If we could change one thing about this project for next semester’s students, it would be to spend more time talking to community stakeholders. Perhaps following up with the same interviewees would be the greatest help to measure any increased interest from the public. Although the Richmond Food Asset Map still requires more work, it’s systematic and organized platform has the potential to positively impact food insecurity in Richmond.
Through it all, our most significant lesson is to see every frustration as an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop our interpersonal skills. Efficient team planning and constant communication will result in a happier and high-functioning team.With our final presentation and report deadlines fast approaching, we hope to prove that our group has become stronger. We are proud of all the work we’ve completed so far and are excited for our community partners and other students to see learn about the Richmond Food Asset Map on Wednesday!
