Incubator Week ONE
![This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is katie-moum-7XGtYefMXiQ-unsplash-1-edited-scaled.jpg](https://rise.mmu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/katie-moum-7XGtYefMXiQ-unsplash-1-edited-scaled.jpg)
Hello! And welcome to week one of the Making Great Communities Incubator. Everyone is welcome here and we so pleased you have joined us!
This week we are going to start with a workshop on how to define your why and begin to unravel what your story might be, the reason you are here, the thing that you care about, what drives you. It is super important to reflect on this, to anchor a project in your personal ideas, beliefs and think about the true reason you are spending the time to commit to making great things happen, and to who you want to work with on this!
Everyone will be coming to join this project Incubator for a a slightly different reason. And thats what makes this project so special! We are not going to be telling you what to do, you are going to be bringing your interests and the things you care about to us! So exciting!
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/watch.png)
Watch: Jessica Jackley: Poverty, Money — and Love
Watch this Ted X Talk and note the themes Jessica discusses around building relationships, building caring connections, and how vital caring is for our life’s meaning and our wellbeing. Note how Jessica really picks up on the value of stories, and how stopping to. listen to someone else’s story is soooo valuable! Believing in each other makes our stories into love stories for others, we can change the world and make tomorrow a better day through engaging in this! Inspiring…
“So, What I hope is, not only can the money keep flowing through Kiva, thats a very positive and meaningful thing, but I hope that Kiva can blur those lines. Like I said, between the traditional rich and poor categories that we are taught to see in this world. This false dichotomy of us and them, have and have not. Because as that happens, we can feel free to interact in a way that’s more open, more just, and more creative. To engage with each other and help each other.”
Jessica Jackley, founder of Kiva
If you’re not 100% sure what you idea is, or what a project might look like for you and your community, thats also fine. We can help you define this and bring to the surface what you might do throughout this project…
Here are some starting points or themes that might be core drivers for those of you who don’t yet know your idea:
- Tackling inequalities: do you see inequality, unfair situations, are you driven to make a difference and support others who face inequality in society, or a community? perhaps you can envisgae a better society and want to build strong communities from the ground up? You might wish to help, offer free support, take the pressure off some people’s lives? Maybe you can see where the inequality starts or how it impacts people, and want to make change?
- Creativity as connection: Do you feel the power of creativity, and want to realise a project that highlights how impactful creative action can be on health, wellbeing and building relationships or expressing yourself? Maybe you want to start a creative youth club, or get people outside more using art and making? Perhaps you could use creativity to build a campaign and make banners or sign?
- Thinking about health and wellbeing: Are you interested in exploring the health and wellbeing of a community, making supporting people to make small positive changes to their wellbeing through active lifestyles, or learn about health conditions by attending a tea and cake morning in a library – help build friendships and connection for positive wellbeing, and support people to tackle health issues?
- Climate emergency, sustainability and the environment: do you want to engage people in the climate emergency, educate and support or teach and explore themes important to you. Perhaps its how your community can make small collective actions that can make big scale change, or maybe you want to start a movement, action and campaign?
- Community growth, development and connection: Do you know the value of meaningful connections, sense of feeling part of something, being connected and have a place or people to turn to? Maybe your community has a space that isn’t being utilised and you wnat to start opening it up, making feel welcome and joining in with activities. perhaps there is disconnection in your community due to perceived differences and cultures, maybe you can find a way to connect us all, help us talk and learn from one another to build strong communities and personal relationships across perceived cultural differences…
- Knowledge exchange, training and learning: Are you an educator, do you have information you can share or facilitation skills where you can support people to come together and learn with each other? Perhaps you are interested in working in a school or education setting and you wish to gain experience in delivering taught content, you could start or write a course in an area of your interest, or deliver some workshops for your community?
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/watch.png)
Watch: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable: Luvvie Ajayi Jones
Luvvie Ajayi Jones isn’t afraid to speak her mind or to be the one dissenting voice in a crowd, and neither should you. “Your silence serves no one,” says the writer, activist and self-proclaimed professional troublemaker. In this bright, uplifting talk, Ajayi Jones shares three questions to ask yourself if you’re teetering on the edge of speaking up or quieting down — and encourages all of us to get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable. What truths do you have to speak? What is your core value (shea butter moisturiser haha)!?
“Being yourself is a revolutionary act. And in a world that wants you to whisper, I choose to YELL!”
Luvvie Ajayi Jones
Some inspiring links?
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/reflection.png)
Stop and Reflect:
Need some guidance on how to be change maker, or even find out what type of change maker you are? Take this easy and fun quiz to help!
What change maker are you? A quiz: https://www.forceofnature.xyz/change-maker-quiz
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/read.png)
Read: Collective Imagination Practice Fund
<undefined></undefined>
Take a look at some inspiring ideas and projects from the Collective Imagination Practice Fund
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/seealso.png)
See Also: Creativity and Health – All Party Parliamentary Group report
Read this VERY interesting report on how creativity can benefit society, our health and wellbeing, and make a positive financial impact on our NHS
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/read.png)
Read: The Big Issue Changemakers of 2024
<undefined></undefined>
The Big Issue celebrate those making a difference in the ongoing climate crisis
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/read.png)
Read: Unboxing a system: Changing the NHS through community
We typically expect community-based organisations to effect change at a grassroots level, and big institutions to effect systemic change. But in Blyth, in the North of England, a grassroots boxing company called Boxing Well is bucking this trend, instigating real change by reducing the pressure on the NHS.
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/read.png)
Read: A Social Glue
An inspiring report that highlights how creative, cultural and interactive experiences can positively impact the health of a nation!
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/seealso.png)
See Also: https://wildstrong.co/move-play
Take a look at these resources and the blog by Wild Strong, which might help you if you’re interested in movement, strength building and connecting through the outdoors…
![](/wp-content/themes/rise-master/reimported/plugin/blocks/actionbox/assets/seealso.png)
See Also: Time to Talk day
Mind’s #itstimetotalk campaign has just passed in early feb. But its still relevant at any time of year. Take a look at these ideas on how to develop talking, connecting and relationship building sessions that can help tackle mental health issues through talking and being open with each other.
![](https://rise.mmu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/john-cameron-_5IRj1F2rY-unsplash-1-1024x768.jpg)