Bulletin #4, December 2017
As some of you will already know, Jane Slowey, one of the founders of the Better Way network, finally lost her battle against cancer and passed away on 7th October. There have been many heartfelt tributes to Jane: ‘a mentor and role model for many’, ‘fearless and outspoken’, ‘an inspiration to many with a kind and generous spirit’, ‘a passionate believer in social justice’.
All of which reminds us that one person can touch many lives, and that change for the better depends ultimately on people like Jane, who never give up.
Jane led the Foyer Federation for 13 years, championing an ‘advantaged thinking’ philosophy and practice. This starts from the premise that ‘everyone has the talent and ability to create their own future and be someone in life’. You can read more in this blog which Jane wrote earlier this year for the Better Way.
Next year we will be publishing a compendium of essays designed to bring home the human stories behind a Better Way and inspire others to act and take up our ideas. We have decided to dedicate this to Jane, who was such an inspiration to us all.
Please forward this bulletin to others who may be interested, and if you are not yet part of a Better Way group but would like to be, just let us know.
About A Better Way
A Better Way is a network of social activists, from the voluntary sector and beyond, who want to challenge business as usual, improve services, and build strong communities. We have set out some simple propositions, which we believe, if pursued with courage and conviction, would bring about a radical shift in favour of the common good. The initiative is hosted by Civil Exchange, in partnership with Carnegie UK Trust and is also supported by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. You can find out more here: http://www.betterway.network/.
Some links you might like
Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter and Better Way member gave a hard-hitting speech recently where she called on larger charities to do more to share power, give up their privilege, and develop a common narrative.
The RSA has published a report Releasing Energy For Change in our Communities, exploring how to build social movements at community level and support a shift away from ‘confrontational energy for change’ towards constructive and collaborative approaches.
As the Carnegie UK Trust says, ‘kindness is at the very heart of our wellbeing’. With support from Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Trust has been investigating what can be done to encourage kinder communities.
Ed Mayo, from Co-ops UK, has written a wonderful short history of co-operation, reminding us that models of co-operation existed long before 1844 and the Rochdale Pioneers, and have been found right across the world, and that we are indeed an essentially ‘co-operative species’.
Here is a speech and slide show by Gary Wallace from Plymouth City Council on ‘integrated commissioning’, which aims to incentivise local co-operation to improve services. Funds have been pooled and the council and other agencies across sectors have been working to create ‘a whole system of service created around the needs of people’.
Asif Afridi, from equality and human rights charity brap, and a member of the inquiry panel into the future of civil society, has written a thought-provoking article on identity-based forms of organising. Are they really helping us, or will they hold us back unless we adapt?
Tom O’Grady from University College London writes here about the way in which hostile political discourse has negatively influenced public perceptions of the welfare state. A powerful reminder that the narratives we create can generate a shift in thinking, for good or for bad.
How can we build a Better Way organisation?
Our four Better Way cells in London met in September and October and all explored the same theme: what does a Better Way organisation look like, what gets in the way, and what tactics might help? You can read their conclusions here.
And finally…
Better Way member David Robinson from Community Links is writing a series of ‘Connecting Well’ blogs, exploring devaluation in the currency of relationships, the unwelcome consequences of our changing behaviour, and what might be done:
‘We have hollowed out the heart of our businesses with call centres, our high streets with cash points and self-service checkouts, our neighbourhoods with design that strips out interaction and our public services with carers commissioned for seven minute visits, retendered every three months. Fake relationships are as ubiquitous in 2017, and just as insidious, as fake news.’
You can see his first blog here, and once you have read that I am sure you will want to sign up for the others.