This is post 4 in a 4-part introduction to Humanity Project. For the basic intro go here, or for part 2 go here and part 3 here
We’ve started to form plans based on the learnings that we’ve covered in the last two posts. So where does Humanity Project go next?
Where we’re working
“Our second phase is going to run between September 2024 and September 2025,” says Ruth Rogers, our Operations Lead. “We’re working in 10 locations across the UK, with trusted partners who we already know, community organisers and individuals who get this work. Our initial locations are Marsh Farm in Luton, Port Talbot, and Longsight and Moss Side around Manchester, and Woodley in Stockport.”
Based on what we learnt from the 46 assemblies in phase one, we knew we had to work in places where we had good connections already, and with people well rooted in the place where they live.
“One thing that’s different from the previous approach to this one,” explains Clare Farrell, one of the co-convenors, “is this focus of working with somebody where they already have lots of connection and potentially a space where they can easily organise from. It’s a game changer. The flexibility of working with people who are already situated in a community centre or they have access to a hall or something, some kind of space where they can gather people is in a practical sense a big deal.”
We’re also concentrating on a few areas first, rather than spreading thin, so we can really support the people on the ground, and make sure things last. That’s because we learnt that the assemblies can’t just be a new shiny thing that comes and goes. It needs to be clear what part of the bigger whole these assemblies are going to be, right from the start. That way, they have a better chance of not fizzling out.
Seeing the bigger picture
“Whatever words you want to use, having the whole journey in mind before you start, rather than just organising and the first assembly and going oh, what next?, is really important,” says Lachlan Ayles, one of our lead organisers. “Those journeys will look different in every place, and they’ll be designed by organisers leading in those areas.”
That’s because our assemblies are never just a talking shop. Yes, they can be incredible at helping glue communities together, but that glue is strengthened by doing things together: taking actions whether that’s litter picking or challenging the council.
“So for taking action, the organisers are also thinking about what other tools are there in the democratic arsenal,” says Lachlan. “Because there are lots of different tools that are out there for helping people make decisions and guide people through the decision making process. For example, assemblies are great, but there are other things that work too. Considering other approaches that could fit nicely alongside assemblies is useful to do.”
Seeing the impact of what we do
Another thing Humanity Project has learnt is that we need to measure what we’re doing, so that these learnings are the neighbourhood’s, and become a staple feature in that place. We have to measure the impact, so people see action happening. And that can be taking before and after pictures of the fly-tipping, or it can be agreements with the council to listen to its citizens on climate or racism and discrimination, or the cost of local services.
We’re also developing how we communicate. We’ve got some brilliant new graphics (“I hate the word branding!” says Clare) which is at the heart of this new phase of the project. We have a new look and feel and a new load of imagery and stuff to give away to people to use, where they organise assemblies or workshops.
We’ve been working on the sound of our voice, how we want to say what we want to say. in how we talk about the work that we’re doing.
Sharing more with you
We’ll also be communicating more about what’s happening in the project. This has been affected by global issues, too. There’s been a mass exodus from Twitter. Social media platforms feel very volatile and they also feel like they’re part of the problem, in terms of the way that people communicate. So we’re keen to develop an approach to storytelling and lift up the lovely faces and beautiful voices and real people, in a really helpful and positive and useful way.
We intend to use our mailing list a little bit more in the next phase as well. So do sign up for that.
So a big thanks to the three people who sat down to figure all this out: Clare, Ruth, and Lachlan. And Clare wants to say, “especially a big thank you to Ruth and Lachlan for being so dedicated and patient with this project. It’s not been easy all the time. And thanks to everyone else who’s been involved, because I know there’s just like acres and acres and acres of hard work that has happened all over the country and I’m very grateful for us to be able to learn everything that we’ve learned. We’ll be back soon.”