In David Robsinon’s LSE lecture in 2023, he talked about the idea of responding to the increasing demand for knowledge about relationship-centred practice by developing a new training institution. We published a blog last autumn setting out more detail and invited readers to share their thoughts on this proposal.
Since then, we’ve conducted research interviews and held focus groups with dozens of practitioners in various areas of public and community life, many of whom reached out having read David’s piece. These conversations have helped to develop our understanding of how a dedicated “Academy” might be structured and designed; the focus areas which it should adopt; and the role it might play in spurring a movement for a more relationship-centred Britain.
About the Relational Practice Academy
Some aspects of the plan that we had begun to hatch last year remain unchanged. The Relational Practice Academy will equip and empower existing, emerging, and next generation leaders with the knowledge, skills, and connections to embed a meaningful focus on nurturing good relationships in their work. Among its key goals will be ensuring that participants feel they have the permission and the confidence to prioritise doing so, so each of its programmes will be designed to build an understanding of the knowledge base and evidence on relational practice. They will also each blend self-discovery, peer learning, bespoke support and – of course(!) – relationship building.
We want the Academy to be a resource for all those who want to learn about relational practice. For that reason, its offer will include a concise, foundational ‘Introduction to relational practice’ course providing a grounding in its key tenets. In time, we envisage this introductory programme being built upon through the development of a series of short ‘deep dive’ courses on narrower themes which still have relevance across sectors and specialisms, such as relational safeguarding.
Ultimately, though, we think the Academy will have the most impact if it provides a more structured and intensive form of support to those working in strategically selected fields. A programme of cohort-based learning journeys focused on how relational practice might be applied in particular sectors will form the centrepiece of its offer.
Five focus areas
When we first sought to pinpoint the different areas of public and community life in which relationships aren’t currently prioritised to the extent that they could or – in our view – should be, we came up with a very long list indeed. Through carrying out this research, we narrowed it down to five focus areas:
- Philanthropy
- Policymaking
- Local government
- Social cohesion
- Community-led change
Around each of these themes we have now delivered, or are in the process of delivering, pilot programmes testing content, style and pedagogy.
Within each of these fields, there are individuals and organisations already blazing a trail and lighting the way. Their work is critical but, more often than not, they stand out as exceptions in their sectors and work at the edge of the system they inhabit. We have zeroed in on these five focus areas partly as we believe that in them there are flames to fan.
We were conscious too that they each offer a pathway to achieving impact at scale, relating as they all do to places and systems which touch each of our lives in various ways. We hope that the pioneers of relational practice alluded to above already feel that the Relationships Project has their backs – that we are on hand to help to champion their work and share the load. Through the Relational Practice Academy, however, we hope to do more.
Growing a movement of relational practitioners
We know we won’t achieve this through expert training alone. Our aspiration is that those who take part in the Academy’s courses and learning journeys should feel that they are connected to a movement with the strength to transform how we live and work together. In that spirit, it will continue to bring its alumni together long after they have completed their learning programme – including through running events enabling relational practitioners from different sectors and specialisms to engage with and learn from one another.
Perhaps the final point to note is that, in the conversations which we conducted as part of this research, we were faced with both a diversity of views and some challenging questions as to whether we are seeking to change individual behaviour or to address systemic challenges. Our conclusion – which might frustrate some – is that these things are intertwined and that both goals will guide the design of each of the Academy’s programmes.
We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has been generous enough to share their views with us during this phase of the Academy’s development. There are a number of additional focus areas – care, criminal justice, and education in particular – in which we hope it will undertake work in the future. For now, we’re interested in speaking to anyone who thinks they might be able to play a role of any sort in delivering the work outlined in this blog. We cannot do so alone, nor would we wish to. We look forward to hearing from you!
Message us at hello@relationshipsproject.org or on LinkedIn.
Hi Relationships Project.
I’m a Gateshead Community Bridgebuidler and recently have linked up with the University of Bradford.
They offered training for their students and community leaders on Ripple Effect Mapping.
I attended this training and then brought the idea back to the community groups that I have been working with for the last four years.
We are now starting our own ripple effect mapping journey, using this method to record impact and change easily and without the need for complex written processes.
This is especially relevant for our local residents who are learning ESOL and our neurodivergent communities.
The key additions to using the ripple effect is that we have a creative document that everyone can access and we can track progress, mistakes made and successes.
We also then have a working document to approach funders, local authority and anyone else who wants to learn from what we have been doing and our dreams for the future.
The key point for this and why we are so excited is that this is not a writing exercise, its a conversation, its looking at photos, videos, posters and facebook comments and making our own jigsaw… If I hadn’t had the relationships project walking alongside my work, I would never have realised that doing things relationally is a better way to be!