These changes are having an impact. Not so much impact in terms of numbers, although that may come. But impact that is felt within the sector. (We do not know yet if it is felt by residents). Three examples and a quotation:
- Relationships
- Connection: More people know each other and are able to put a face to the name of somebody they had heard of but not met
- Respect: When people from the Collective talk to Council colleagues they feel heard, that their voice matters.
Here is how Terry summed up the last point: There is a trust between groups. Before everyone looked over their shoulder. There was no collaboration or respect. The new ideas coming from the Re-imagining groups would not have been possible. If you had an idea you would keep it to yourself. Somebody might steal it. Now we are working together. There is trust. We are re-imagining.
- Policy
- Neighbourhoods are now a locus for change, the result of the work of the Collective. The idea is being led by and shaped by the Collective
- The group is re-imagining High Streets is led by Collective members and incorporates several of the catalysts for change in the Borough described earlier
- Innovation
- Thames Ward Neighbourhood model (see entry 16) is seeking to boost the power of small informal civil society organisations
- Kingsley Hall is one of several sector organisations using participatory budgeting to involve marginalised groups
- Cocoon is developing the idea that it takes a village to raise a child (see entry 17) by creating space for families with young children to regular meet and support each other
- A consortia of social sector and council organisations are figuring out how to make help easier to find and more fulfilling to give (see entry 18).