Strategic Advisory Group Development Day: Building Connections and Promoting the Makerspace
Recently the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) came together for a development day that combined team-building, learning, and creativity. Hosted across the Civic Offices and the Makerspace at Barry Library, the event focused on fostering collaboration among teams and finding new ways to work more closely together.
The Strategic Advisory Group is made up of key teams working together to support the council's vision. The Transformation team leads on improving processes and finding innovative ways to enhance services. The Communications team ensures residents stay informed about local issues and council initiatives through clear and engaging messaging. Meanwhile, the Equalities team champions inclusivity and fairness across all initiatives. By bringing their expertise together, these teams play a central role in driving collaboration and delivering impactful projects for the community.
The morning sessions were dedicated to getting to know each other better. Through activities like "SAG Speed Dating," participants had the opportunity to connect with colleagues from other teams they don’t interact with daily. This exercise highlighted the importance of understanding each other's roles and how we can work collaboratively to achieve our shared goals.
The afternoon session at the Makerspace offered a hands-on introduction to this incredible facility. Makerspaces provide access to a range of cutting-edge digital equipment, including a 3D Printer, Laser Cutter, Cricut Maker 3, DSLR Cameras, and much more. These resources enable digital design and fabrication, opening up endless creative possibilities for the community.
As a first step toward closer collaboration, SAG teams will work together to help promote the Makerspace and raise awareness of the tools and opportunities it provides. This partnership will help ensure that more residents and organisations can access these innovative resources.
Reflecting on the day, Robert Jones, the event’s organiser, said: “The first part of the day was all about breaking down silos and building connections across teams. The main takeaway is that by working more closely together, we can have a greater impact. The Makerspace is a perfect example of how we can pool our strengths to showcase and support innovative resources available to our community.”
The Strategic Advisory Group Development Day was an inspiring and productive event, showcasing the council’s commitment to collaboration and innovation. By continuing to build connections across teams, we are better positioned to deliver creative solutions and services for our community.
For more information about the Makerspace and its equipment, visit our HOME page and click on the image of the tool you’d like to learn about.