Encouraging women to the podium: Not just about speaking but about influencing
We need to see more women speaking confidently about issues that matter. 'Energy is more important than message', says Alex Barker.
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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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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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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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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!
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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.
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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.
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How shifting mindsets helps shift power
Nicola Wood (Tameside & Glossop NHS) writes the 5th in our Greater Manchester series of blogs exploring person and community centred heath and social care.
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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.
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Leadership for Empowered Communities and Personalised Care: An Opportunity to Participate
Leadership for Empowered Communities & Personalised Care is the perfect opportunity to learn about co-production, systems change, and leadership.
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Guest blog – The real reasons we still don’t co-produce
Alex Fox OBE shares an article from his personal blog which exposes some of the barriers to building co-production into the public sector.
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Report review: Good Help and Bad Help
We pick out our highlights from Nesta and OSCA's brave new report about the different approaches to support and services.
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