Create Change Chesterfield was recently featured in the RSA Journal. This issue of the journal had a focus on place-based action.
Create Change Chesterfield is a project led by Clare Gage FRSA. It aims to create a community of changemakers in Chesterfield to support positive action in the town. The project began with a community event held in March 2019 supported by The RSA. Following on from this there were 2 more events with a forth planned for March 2020 which was cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown.
I launched Create Change Chesterfield driven by a personal hope to create a positive change in our world. I wanted to reach out to others to talk about how we could all create change in our own way. I felt strongly that the way to support action from individuals was to offer opportunities for the community to come together, to share their hopes and to offer mutual support to one another. This website is a record of how the project progressed- have a browse to read the full story! Here's a quick overview:
At the first Create Change Chesterfield event we welcomed 50+ people age 8-80 (well...a few a little older, and even a few a little younger!) As a starting point it certainly showed a good level of interest! The event was lively and creative and sparked many connections and fascinating conversations.
As part of my approach I use a feedback led model in order to listen to the community and design the next event based on the things that are important to them. At the first event it was clear that an important topic was the climate emergency. There was also interest in the session exploring deliberative democracy and what that would look like at a local level.
The second event was designed as a ‘citizen assembly experience’ with a focus on the climate emergency. At this event 70+ people came together to explore how as a community, in our town, we could effect change and what that would look like at a personal, local, national and international level.
An important message that arose from this second event was communication. There were many discussions about how to bring more people along with us on the journey of addressing the climate emergency. In response to this the third CCC event was designed to explore methods of communication and to create an action plan for reaching out to our town to build the community taking action. Unfortunately this event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The volunteer challenge
Before the Coronavirus pandemic brought a sudden stop to activity I already knew Create Change had a challenge ahead. All the work put in so far had been done on volunteer hours. As the main driver of the project I had given countless hours to make the events happen. With my pre-school children on my hip I made plans, visited venues and had many meetings (thank you to the local community groups and schools who opened their doors to me!) I also had generous support from others, all given free of charge and in their precious free time.
Before covid hit I brought together a small core team of volunteers who hoped to be part of the next stage of the project. However, as we emerged from the crisis I could see that I needed to move on from exclusively volunteer action.
Responsibility to the community
I feel that there is responsibility wrapped up in this project. Bringing people together and inspiring hope that their action can create change requires a commitment to continued engagement; a commitment that this community will continue to offer mutual support as the individuals take their steps forward. To ensure this continued presence I need to be practical about how to continue delivery of the project.
I believe the future of Create Change will come from partnership working and engaging with established local third sector organisations, reducing the reliance on volunteer hours. This is an interesting process! But I'm pleased to say these conversations are starting to happen. Of course each step forward is an exploration and it's important to keep an open and optimistic approach as the path ahead emerges! We have some plans coalescing but, in the spirit of sharing, and inquisitiveness for what I may uncover, here's an idea to throw out there...a potential plan for the future...or a seed of an idea! Get in touch if you like the sound of it! clare@claregage.com.
I'd love to pull together the links I have, and maybe some new ones to see what comes next...
Using creative experiences to build a community of Changemakers in Chesterfield
A (very brief!) plan
Community events
Use a format similar to previous CCC events. 3 events a year. Use the feedback led model to develop the content of the events. Inclusion, participation and creativity at the heart.
Cross-generational learning and exhibition
8 week courses that explore using creativity to discover your voice as a Changemaker in your hometown.
Peer learning embedded to support participants to support each other in their Changemakers journeys
Delivered through adult, secondary and primary classes (with cross over events) in order to get a cross-generational message
Final exhibition at venue in Chesterfield
A chance to be heard
Creating a record of the project and speaking about it openly in order to spread the message
Development time
Incorporating ongoing record keeping, evaluating and reflection to support future development of the project.
How to make this IMPACTFUL? Explore the levers of power here in Chesterfield. This is more than a community project, we are building a community of influence
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