This can help you to understand the needs and resources of a group that you are working with, or you can use it to ask yourselves important questions about your own wants, needs and resources. Use pre-prepared questions, but don't feel you can't ask others, or need to ask them all. Remember the point is to listen. The less you say, the more people will talk. Questions could include:
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Name(s) of client(s) (May be a person, or a project.)
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Address, email, phone, fax details.
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Property size (square metres / acres / hectares.)
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Number of people on the site.
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Groups that use the site (e.g. user groups, staff, volunteers, schoolchildren.)
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Physical challenges that need to be considered (blind, wheelchairs etc.)
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Occupations and skills
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Lifestyle / ethos of the group
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Eating habits
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Age ranges
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Financial situation and budget for the project
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On site resources
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How site is owned / rented (freehold, leasehold, rented from council, etc.)
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Any restrictions on how the land is used (detailed in lease agreements etc)
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Potential catastrophes, known problems and site difficulties (frost pocket, fire, flooding, persistent vandalism.)
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Plans and drawings available
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Level of food production wanted
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Existing energy efficiency measures, and energy usage
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Privacy (views, neighbours, respecting other people’s privacy where site is overlooking others)
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Priorities for the site
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What do you most like about the site?
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What would you most like to change?
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Water catchment (quality and amount)
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Water general
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Soils
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Erosion
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Aspect
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Clients wants and needs (PASE sheet)
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Names and addresses of supportive groups and people (councillors, voluntary service support etc.)
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Utilities (gas, electricity, mains water)