The Relationships Project is all about strengthening the field of relationship-centred practice:
We believe in the power of relationships, so relationships are at the heart of how we work. We listen, learn and collaborate with others who share our belief in the importance of relationships. We then translate this learning into a shared vision and practical resources, helping everyone, everywhere to nurture good relationships.
How are we to heal divided communities, to respect difference, trade fairly, care for the displaced, respond to crises, or share the natural world? How are we to live together?
More than ever, the big questions that we face are all about relationships. Their substance and quality will determine the direction and quality of our lives.
Wider society, meanwhile, has been moving in the wrong direction: we network and transact as never before but being well connected is not the same as connecting well. Meaningful time together has been displaced by fast and shallow connection.
It was really great to have time and space to make new friends and learn from each other, especially excite to meet Carol Hebden from The Outcome Unit.
Our intention is to explore what get’s in the way of developing our new relationships and how we can be: ‘Changing our Permissions‘, exploring what help and hinder us in putting relationships first in our communities, organisations and systems.
I was most inspired by Noreen Blanluet Dionna Buckman co-founder of Golden Sankofa, Sonal Mehta founder of Catalyst Health CIC, Robb McCabe and his work of the Birmingham Pathfinder, Maff Potts founder of Camerados.
All working on or delivering inspiring work when it comes to embedding work in communities with relationships at the heart. Camerados developed a living room that gives people space to just be themselves and sit and chat. A strong reminder yet again that we have this unhealthy starting point to constantly ‘value competition, individualism, speed and scale rather than effective relationships, working together. Their principles were super fascinating. It’s okay to be a bit sometimes is one of my favourites!
We could build a better society, an equitable economy, effective government, flourishing businesses, successful services, happy, healthy, thriving communities if we put relationships first. Strong relationships are not a frilly accessory.
In a happy neighbourhood, a thriving school, an effective health service, a flourishing business, or a strong and cohesive society. They are the making of it all.
A big load of gratitude for the team a fab day rooted in deep relationships that was really intentionally thought through! Immy and Abi and David and Iona.
To keep pushing for opportunities for how we can make this work throughout the orgs in bigger vision to the smaller parts of people’s experience. People need people and people need relationships to thrive.
To keep developing space where we can develop people to learn together.
