Narrative methods in practice: A workshop on Storytelling in the TOUS study

Our session included a brief introduction to the TOUS study and to Storytelling evaluation, developed by the Old Fire Station, a cultural organisation in Oxford. Storytelling is a creative approach; it aims to be an enjoyable way to focus on the experience of those most involved in an activity or cultural organisation and to learn from these experiences about what works well. It involves the training of storytellers (in this case researchers on the study) to talk to storytellers (older people, artists, volunteers and workers involved with cultural activities). Stories are collected about what individuals consider to be the most significant change they have experienced as a result of being involved in an activity, group or organisation. 

In the SW SAPC workshop we explored how and why Storytelling was used for the TOUS study. We gave workshop participants a flavour of how stories are collaboratively analysed with various stakeholders, including storytellers and others involved with the organisation where stories were collected. Attendees read anonymised extracts of three of the TOUS study stories, collected with artists and members of an elders’ theatre company in the north of England.

Small group discussions 

In small groups those attending the workshop talked about their first impressions of the extracts in a simulation of the discussion sessions we have run at sites taking part in the TOUS study. In Storytelling discussions, participants are asked to consider these questions: 

• What was your general impression of the stories? 

• Did anything stand out for you? 

• Did you notice any threads or themes connecting the stories? 

The small groups at the workshop discussed these questions and then gave feedback into the whole group. They commented on the use of stories and how they might differ from qualitative interviews.  

Reflections on the Storytelling method 

Workshop participants were interested in exploring the use of Storytelling in their own research as they felt the stories showed a richness and depth sometimes lacking in traditional interview methods. They commented that the impact of structural inequalities, like ageism and racism, was powerfully conveyed through the stories. The storytellers’ vulnerability also resonated, triggering an emotional response in participants. 

Attendees felt that it was possible to analyse the stories from multiple perspectives including both providers and users of cultural sector activities. The stories could be used to highlight the role of cultural sector organisations and how they need to adapt what they offer so that potential members feel safe and welcome. The stories could also be analysed to reflect on the feelings, fears and needs of new members as they enter a new setting. These are issues that are part of the analysis we are developing for the TOUS study. 

Workshop participants discussed potential application of Storytelling methods to their own studies, including the example of research involving multiple perspectives of family members where someone is living with dementia. They considered the overlap with other strengths-based methods, such as Appreciate Inquiry; this has been used as part of Human Learning Systems approaches where complex systems (involving multiple providers and organisations) are creating tools for change to better meet the needs of their service users and communities.  

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to advance our conceptualisation of the Storytelling method’s relevance and application in academic research, including the TOUS study, and will contribute to the development of our forthcoming paper on the topic. 

The study mentioned in this blog is funded by a grant from UK Research and Innovation (MR/Y010000/1). The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the funder or the author’s host institution.