The Relationships Collective
A servant leader group helping to shepherd the growth of the field
At the end of 2022, we recruited The Relationships Collective: a group of 9 individuals who together represent just some of the brilliant, enthusiastic, creative and diverse people who are pioneering a relationship-centred future. We were overjoyed by the interest and whilst it was an incredibly difficult decision, we are delighted with where we have landed.
Over the next 18 months, The Collective will support with our efforts to turbocharge the growth of the field of relationship-centred practice. Together we’ll be advocating, networking, convening, coordinating and tackling the many challenges and opportunities for making relationships the first mile, not the extra mile.
Introducing The Relationships Collective
Fiona Carden
Joint CEO and Director of Learning, Exeter CoLab
“I am excited to look up and out beyond the day to day opportunities and challenges presented by my work, to a wider world of ideas and really explore the idea of ‘breaking new ground’. I am interested in exploring relationships beyond our work; friends, family and with ourselves. I am also curious about how our cultural values inform and shape our relationships and am keen to explore the impact of values based practice.”
Halima Khan
Independent adviser, Affiliated Researcher at the Bennett Institute of Public Policy, Board Member at Mayday Trust
“Relationships are the engine at the heart of social change – they give us a sense of belonging, purpose, confidence and hope. All of which are vital for people to flourish and communities to thrive. So I’m very excited to be joining eight brilliant co-pilots of The Relationships Collective and the supporting team at The Relationships Project. I’m looking forward to a journey powered by curiosity and optimism as we take some steps forward individually and together.”
Verity Howorth
Director of Training at the academy trust Reach Foundation
“I am thrilled to be part of the Relationships Collective because it represents an opportunity to bring currently disparate but like-minded folks together who believe the world could be so much better if we all put relationships right at the heart of our respective work. I think there is much to be gained from taking time to reflect on our own practice, being curious about expertise from other sectors and sussing out where there is energy to create change for a more compassionate, sustainable future.”
Joe Micheli
Head of Communities at York Council
“Personally, I believe, it is not enough for us to reorganise, we need to recentre our approaches and continue to shift the dial on growing the evidence base for relational approaches. The Collective offers a space and profile for this invaluable work to evolve, change culture and mindsets and gain deeper traction. I fundamentally believe that the simple human bonds between us are the foundations of good lives, reflecting the importance of relationships and this should be a world and cultural norm that we are all striving for.”
Farrah Nazir
Insights and Learning on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Wellcome Trust, Co-founder of New Fables Collective
“Building and strengthening relationships is both an integral and longstanding part of my practice – I believe there is so much more to learn, share and imagine what’s possible when our work is driven by relationship centred practice. I’m excited to be part of a collective of practitioners in this space to both explore and champion this work together.”
Elizabeth Oldfield
Coach, Facilitator, Writer and Host of The Sacred
“I am excited to be part of the Relationships Collective because relationships are the very heart of a healthy life and a healthy society and yet we spend so little direct time and attention on them. To gather with eight other relationships nerds and work out how we might contribute to changing that sounds amazing.”
Brigid Russell
Coach and Leadership Consultant, Co-Convenor of Spaces for Listening
“We learn best in relationship alongside each other, understanding and valuing our many different ways of knowing and being together. That’s why I am so excited to be a part of The Relationships Collective – so that we can share ideas, experiences, and learning about what makes relationships really work and how.”
Mel Smith
Deputy CEO at Grapevine Coventry and Warwickshire
“I am chuffed to be part of the Relationships Collective, it’s vital that we work towards a world that prioritises relationships. From the small relational things that nurture friendships and joy to being wholly intentional about the design of tactics and strategy to build relationships that can respond to wider systemic issues. Let’s do this!”
Sarah Yardley
Associate Professor in Palliative Medicine & Honorary Consultant in Palliative Medicine, UCLH and Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust
“All my work is driven by the belief that we need to redeem the role of relationships in healthcare and reclaim relationships as a legitimate part of systems change, not a “nice if you can” add-on. Finding a group of people who don’t just believe this but who are actually working to put it into practice as a core value in different ways, places and for different purposes is great!”
What is this for?
By bringing this group together we hope to:
1. Support these brilliant people to do even more of the relational working and advocacy around relational approaches they already do
2. Explore real challenges and opportunities that we all face as relationship-centred practitioners
3. Identify areas for collective, practical action to push the field forwards and make putting relationships first the norm, not the exception.
Take a look at the full job description below.
What’s the deal?
1. We are providing each member of The Collective with a monthly stipend of £500 (inc. VAT) for the full 18 months of this pilot. This is a contribution towards their day to day work as advocates of relationship-centred working as well as their time meeting with and developing plans with fellow Collective members
2. The Relationships Project’s small team are supporting The Collective. From organising get-togethers to project managing the plans that emerge, we will be the supporters of The Collective to ensure that the members get the most out of the experience and their skills and expertise are put to the greatest use.
3. It is our hope that by being part of The Collective, members will be supported to develop their relationship-centre thinking and practice alongside others who share a commitment to relationships
Our 2 year plan for a 20 year vision
Digital technology isn’t the enemy of warmth within services
In brief In this Joining the Dots blog, Shift’s CEO (and dad to a 3 year old) Nick Stanhope explores ways in which digital technologies can help – rather than hinder – us putting relationships at the heart of what we do, bringing warmth to unnecessarily...
The gift through the fence
In brief In this Joining the Dots contribution, Clare Wightman discusses the importance of relationships in removing stigma and reducing exclusion. Clare is CEO of Grapevine Coventry and Warwickshire which works with individuals and communities...
Practicing Kindness
In brief In this Joining the Dots blog contribution, Ben Thurman reflects on the tensions between kindness and risk, relationships and professionalism, emotions and performance management, and the need to reshape organisational culture to foster a culture of kindness....
Building Intergenerational Connections
In brief In this Joining the Dots blog contribution, Sam Dalton looks at the gap in intergenerational relationships in today’s society, and what can be done to bridge it.Sam works on policy and public affairs for social integration charity The Challenge, and led...
Embracing the Mess to do What’s Best for People
In brief In this contribution to Joining the Dots, Toby Lowe and Dawn Plimmer discuss funding, commissioning and managing services in a world where relationships rather than KPIs or simplistic numerical targets are what matters most. Toby is is a Senior Lecturer in...
In praise of small everyday relationships
In brief In this Joining the Dots contribution, Steve Wyler discusses the concept of conviviality and the importance of shared spaces where small everyday relationships can flourish. Steve is an independent consultant, researcher, and writer in the social sector....
Caring for Carers
In brief In this important and moving piece, David Grayson examines the caring relationship and proposes a “new social contract for carers and caring.” David Grayson CBE is chair of the charity Carers UK which works for a society which respects, values and supports...
Relationships, A Transformative Power
In brief In this Joining the Dots piece, Thomas Neumark shares his learning about relationships from a personal as well as a professional perspective. Thomas is CEO of The Peel, a community development charity working in Clerkenwell,...
The measurement challenge
In brief In this Joining the Dots blog, Immy Robinson – Research and Innovation Lead at Shift and co-lead of The Relationships Project – explores some of the knotty questions around measuring and evaluating relationships. The need for measurement The importance of...
Tending the spaces
In brief In this contribution to the Joining the Dots blog series, Michael Little reminds us that relationships are hard won, not always positive, and inevitably influenced by context. Michael is now Director at Ratio, having served several roles...
