Begin a conversation Say hello

ServicesKelowna, BC · Canada

Research & storytelling

Listening-driven projects that gather stories from your community and turn them into a clear report your people can act on.

Begin a conversation See the stories

When we gather stories from your community, it's not just new insights that emerge. Change takes place in the act of paying attention. We listen respectfully, write clearly, and co-create a report that helps your people decide what to do next.

Ways to work together

  • Conversations Interviews, round tables, workshops and surveys, designed with you for the people you want to hear from. Relationally-driven, respecting people's privacy, designed for accessibility. Over weeks or months
  • A clearly-communicated story We'll deliver a usable, clear synthesis of the key themes, for your leadership team or board. Packed with insights and real stories, ready to guide you forward. With the conversations · From $10,000
  • Co-creating a sharable version Sometimes, stories are worth sharing beyond the silo of your own organization. We can help co-design a visual, interactive, public version of the results. Design and publishing on top · From $5,000

When it helps

  • When you're truly curious to learn from your community.
  • When you're open to finding new innovation opportunities.
  • When you're ready to re-brand, re-name, re-design or re-try, based on real perspectives
  • When you're working to launch a new organization, program or service.

Probably not a fit if

  • You're not intending to make any changes or shifts.
  • You're hoping to maintain status-quo.
  • You're not open to considering accessibility accommodations or compensation for participants.

What Brea Said

“We had the opportunity to partner with Co.school to help better understand the complex workforce and talent issues that our community was facing. They facilitated multiple conversations with our stakeholders through roundtable discussions and one-on-one conversations. Co.school was able to capture participants' perspectives authentically and distill them into key actionable themes for our team. Co.school was easy to work with, relatable, and delivered on their commitments, we can't wait to work with them again!”
- Brea Lake, CEO, Accelerate Okanagan

How it starts

  1. A free intake call Let's book twenty minutes to hear what you're facing, and whether we're a fit.
  2. A proposal We'll get back to you with a plan, including suggested approach, timeline and pricing. Shop around, share with the team, think about it!
  3. Listen, then write Through a season of conversations, building a clearly written report you can act on.

Ready to find a more human, creative way forward?

Begin a conversation

Led by

Kevan Gilbert

Founder and principal facilitator of Co.school, in Kelowna, BC.

Read the full bio
Kevan Gilbert, Co.school

Go deeper

Note How listening transforms Why the starting point for change is paying attention to the people you serve. Note 5 discussion-starters for systems change How might we redistribute power throughout our systems? Use these examples to kickstart the conversation. Note Why try to change a system? Reflections on choosing a more creative, collaborative, community-centered path forward Learning resource Living Systems Thinking guide A guide to understanding the systems we live and work within, so we can co-create with clarity and equity. Learning resource How to use language to listen well The words and phrases that block or build dialogue. A free PDF.

Stories from the field

All Research & storytelling stories
A listening report for Okanagan agriculture Research & storytelling A listening report for Okanagan agriculture Field notes and farm tours to gather perspectives with Accelerate Okanagan Improving supplier diversity with service design, for CQCC Research & storytelling Improving supplier diversity with service design, for CQCC Putting members first in the Canadian supply chain conversation Helping shape Canada’s National Autism Network Research & storytelling Helping shape Canada’s National Autism Network Community listening sessions with the Canadian autism community