What is P.A.T.H?

Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope is the full name for P.A.T.H. and is a planning and goal setting tool that uses graphic facilitation to map out a vision of a desirable future for an individual or a group of people.

The process was developed by Marsha Forrest, Jack Pearpoint and John O'Brien.  It takes a solution focused approach and allows staff teams in organisations to share their hopes and dreams through development of a common vision.

A framework is followed and a pictorial record is created with colourful and creative images, drawings and words. Using images and colours can assist in creative thinking, provide energy and support memory. The facilitator works with the staff team to set goals, as part of the journey to the dream. Simple, manageable, time limited actions are recorded to show how to get to the goals. As it is a visual i.e. drawings are made as the process unfolds, it keeps all those involved interested and focused on their dreams and goals.

Who have you used it with?

I have used this tool with:

• Children's Centres,
  
• to establish a new early years setting,
  
• as a team building and long term planning tool with a private day nursery,
  
• staff teams and workers across a cluster of Children's Centres.
  

It is also beneficial to use across multi-agency teams.

How long does it take?

Everyone in the staff team! If the setting is a Children's Centre or school it can be useful to involve the Parents Forum, Advisory Board or Governors. For early years settings it is useful for managers to either attend the session or to come for the last half an hour to discuss the suggested outcomes and actions and support making them happen.