Communicating Simply

Services

Writing skills development

Communicating Simply offers writing skills workshops and support to help people in organisations and communities express themselves more effectively through writing. This service is guided by the fundamental principles of:

• challenging the stereotypes of writing being a tool that can be used by a select few
• seeing writing as a process and not an end in itself
• using writing as a tool for self-development, self-empowerment and self-reflection
• using writing to honour individuals, their experiences and their histories
• demystifying writing and simplifying the process so that just about anyone can use and develop the skills.

Writing skills processes are tailored to suit organisations’ needs. Most importantly, they try to get participants to move beyond their fears of writing so that the meaning in their work comes to the fore.

 Writing, editing and documenting services

• Editing and plain language editing for a variety of knowledge products.
• Organisational histories and stories of change: Many organisations struggle with writing reports and information about their achievements and struggles. Helping organisations write their histories and assisting them to document their stories of change and impact is one way of them honouring the work they have done.
• Process documentation to document important events and provide professional, appropriate documentation of the event.
• Knowledge product development, including professional materials, such as educational materials, training manuals, annual reports, newsletters and more.
• Process facilitation: designing, facilitating and documenting your process, from writing skills development to planning, to reflections, to gender transformation, and more. Gender transformation is an important aspect of any change and is a key specialisation of Communicating Simply’s work.

 Evaluations and project management

• Communicating Simply takes a consultative approach to evaluations and reviews, constantly checking assumptions and seeking appropriate guidance from the agency being assessed. We do this because we understand that, as outsiders, our knowledge and understanding of the context is limited and must be guided by those who work within it. The consultation is about respect, developing a deeper understanding and finding the most honest and fair conclusions.