Through Thick and Thin
How an infrastructure for relationships could unlock the collective action we need to accelerate progress towards a world designed for and around relationships
Lots of people in lots of different spaces are doing amazing work around building better relationships, but the connections between these nodes are often weak or non-existent. Drawing on conversations with over 100 people in late 2020 and early 2021, we (led by Iona Lawrence) explore the challenges we share in prioritising relationships in the places that we live and work and the work that needs to be done to address those needs.
Our shared and uniting goal is to build a world that is designed for and around relationships: a world where relationships are the first mile, not the extra one.
Building a Relationship Collective: Our Proposal
Building on the insights unearthed in Through Thick and Thin, we submitted an expression of interest to the Bringing People Together Fund at the National Lottery Community Fund to bring to life the idea of an infrastructure for relationships. Drawing inspiration from Joe Mills and friends in the democracy centre, we decided to publish the proposal in the open so everyone can see what we’re hoping to do and more easily explore ways to collaborate.
In short, the expression of interest we submitted is for a two year project to design, test and build the necessary infrastructure to support shared learning and collaboration in the field of relationships and relationship-centred practice in the coming decades.
We are delighted to say that our application was successful and, as of Autumn 2022, we are focused on developing the infrastructure for a thriving field of relationship-centred practice. Find out more about our plans for the next two years below.
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...
