Systems Change

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by Isaac Samuels

We need to talk about “lived experience”

Lived experience is essential to co-production, but do we treat those who share their stories with us ethically? True co-production needs long-term thinking, proper support and the creation of opportunities for people who have experienced multiple disadvantage, argues co-production advisor Isaac Samuels in this powerful guest blog.

Alliance, Co-production, Community Development, Community Engagement, Leadership, Lived Experience, Storytelling, Systems Change
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by Ben Andrews

Beyond Empower: supporting healthy, active lives for disabled people by transforming mainstream spaces and services

In this guest blog, Beyond Empower founder Ben Andrews tells us about their work to transform mainstream spaces, communities and leisure services so that they're accessible to people with disabilities. By thinking differently about the barriers, Beyond Empower help providers, councils and businesses create services that everyone in the community can access and enjoy.

Asset Based, Co-design, Commissioning, Community Based, Community Development, Disability, Guest Blog, Health, Inequalities, Integrated Services, Social Enterprise, Systems Change, Wellbeing
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by Lauren Wallace-Thompson

I’m With Sam: Tackling learning disability hate crime with Dimensions

Learning disability hate crime is a problem that is under-reported but can have a huge impact on victims. Dimensions' #ImWithSam campaign is led by an expert with lived experience and takes a multi-pronged approach to the problem. They support victims, raise awareness, train police forces, work with the CPS and influence policy to improve reporting, convictions and ensure victims are taken seriously.

Autism, Charity, Co-design, Co-production, Disability, Health, Inequalities, Learning Disabilities, Lived Experience, Social Action, Systems Change
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by Kath Smythe

Secret Musings of a Change Agent

Experienced change consultant and coach Kath Smythe tells us all about her new blog series where she talks to "some fabulous ordinary people who are really great at making change happen” to try and discover what it is that underpins their skill. It's a must read!

Asset Based, Community Based, Guest Blog, Systems Change
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by Anna Eaton

Talking about balancing belonging and freedom at work in Research Matters magazine

We answer some questions for the Social Research Association's quarterly Research Matters magazine about our organisational structure as part of their look at business models for social research. Read the reprinted article here.

Asset Based, Collaboration, Research, Systems Change
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by Bex Clarkson

What does the review exposing bullying and harassment at the NCVO say about the charity model and how can we change things?

In this guest blog experienced charity worker Bex Clarkson advocates for radical change and outlines the remedies she sees, from looking at the money, recognising resistance and not just swapping out the CEO.

Charity, Funding, Guest Blog, Leadership, Systems Change
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by Azad Sharma

Regional Leadership for Empowered Communities and Personalised Care Programme: another opportunity to participate

Leadership for Empowered Communities announce a series of regional leadership programmes for the Personalised Care NHS plan. Find out how to participate.

Co-production, Health, Participation, Systems Change
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“The Hub acts as a glue bringing together people and organisations who are doing so much to positively disrupt their local systems.”

Burcu Borysik, Mayday Trust