Rachel Smith

Exploring the power of making and creativity to rekindle social + nature connectedness and spark change. Creative Producer Make/Shift.

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

It’s been a bit of a whirlwind 8months. Moving the family & starting out on a new adventure in Derbyshire. Taking stock ahead of a couple weeks off And feeling very grateful to have met so many brilliant people as part of getting started out with @Make_shiftAV ✨✨🙏🙏

[Make/Shift @Make_shiftAV]

It's been a speedy 8 months since Creative Producer @RacheLocal started at Make/Shift. In this blog she reflects on the project and one of our most asked questions 'What's Make/Shift all about?'
https://t.co/q4xlErhvt7

[Brigid Russell @brigidrussell51]

Having collective spaces where we can say out loud how the work feels, how it's really going, what's getting in the way. This really shouldn't be the exception. It's a perfectly normal, in fact essential, thing to be doing. We need so many more openly supportive & honest spaces.

[Rob Hopkins @robintransition]

Excellent article by @romankrznaric on what we can learn from history about what makes large scale social transitions possible: https://t.co/pqYegZt9co

[Make/Shift @Make_shiftAV]

We loved sharing our work and showing off our collaborations with @maisonfoo and @grow_outside to colleagues at @ace_national and @DCMS this week. Thanks for joining us @RebeccaBlackma6 @ace_midlands 🌼 💚🙏 #createyourplace #letscreate #communitypower #creativepower

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

Why do we spend so much time boxing ourselves in … to offices, meeting rooms, private spaces? Had the best week bedding in at @grow_outside. Being outside feels like such a leveller and everyone so much more relaxed! Defo best office ever!

[Make/Shift @Make_shiftAV]

This week we’ve had the absolute pleasure of hosting workshops, meet-ups and workspace at the glorious @grow_outside in Butterley. Thanks to the many community decision makers, collaborators & friends who joined us and to Claire and Kirsty for looking after us so well 💚🙏

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

Came across this gorgeous bee on my way home tonight. In middle of road looking pretty sorry for itself. Found a few wee flowers and it dived straight in. Lifted it to safety on a leaf and left it guzzling nectar in a garden. They really are amazing up close 🐝🌻🐝🌻

[St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace @StEthelburgas]

“How do you grow the power of your heart as a resource for action? People who are trying to change the world get very tired and we need to be able to recharge our hearts.” Dr Scilla Elworthy during a talk she gave at our conference, watch here: https://t.co/bJjdpgpzSt

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

Loved prepping gifts to share with @Make_shiftAV Mover&Shakers at 1st #Communitypanel session. Beautiful book by @lolaolufemi_ experiments-in-imagining-otherwise & #gentlenudges by @SarahPCorbett @Craftivists to activate our values #imagination #action #collaboration #care🙏✨

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

This made me stop and smile on my way home from ⁦@DerbyUni⁩ #MarkeatonStreet. Thanks to whoever put it up ✨🙏 ✨

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

@CormacRussell So much wasted potential chasing answers, solutions, data, value that doesn’t matter 🥵😤. Amazing how unusual/hard it is to actually centre communities when default systems, structures, business models we’re inside of r designed to centre orgs, institutions, sectors, funder…

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

💥“We must discard unproductive questions that let down communities and exhaust practitioners to make progress. Instead, we should ask community-centered questions that enable communities and liberate citizens and practitioners to play to their strengths for the common good”💥

[Cormac Russell @CormacRussell]

Let’s take a critical look at this question:

“How can we encourage more people to engage with our service?"

This sort of question leads so many public services and charities to a dead end. Savvy practitioners don't 'get' people to engage. Instead, they listen to what they are passionate about and then support them in working in solidarity with others to pursue their passions. It's not about coercing people to do what we want, nor is it about only involving people to promote our services.

The pursuit of institutional goals is not the sole purpose of life. We must discard unproductive questions that let down communities and exhaust practitioners to make progress. Instead, we should ask community-centered questions that enable communities and liberate citizens and practitioners to play to their strengths for the common good. Better questions lead to better outcomes.

[Bob&Roberta Smith @BobandRoberta]

Call for an Arts baccalaureate for primary education. All schools should be art schools. +Scrap progress 8 and Ebacc

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

Loved being sited next to @BurtonRerun and finding out about all the incredible work they do. Check them out 👇👇👇

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

Finally made it along to @timber_festival & had fab time with @Make_shiftAV @maisonfoo @grow_outside #swannickmensshed & pop-up Community Living Room #making #connecting #shifting story about creative power of communities. So many amazing people gathered amongst the trees 💚🌳💚

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

Really enjoyed being part of @Derby_Civic CivicLAB conference last week hosted at brilliant @Artcore_UK with @Make_shiftAV @caracourage @SHED_uk. Talking all things #communitypower #creativepower & sharing some of our fav words & change models by https://t.co/UJayQuy40s

[S.H.E.D - Designing Dialogue CIC @SHED_uk]

Over the last 8 days we have successfully delivered the launch of the Civic Curiosity E-Bikes, Learning and Teaching Conference, CivicLAB Conference, Civic Awards and Reception Event... 1/3

[Vicki Purewal @vickipurewal]

*IT IS TIME*
p.7 of Endowing the Future by @CIVIC_SQUARE @ImmyKaur @indy_johar

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

Really excited to get going with this work with brilliant @JodesPlatform31 & @SamPlatform31 from @Platform_Thrty1. Did you know that a group of zebras is called a dazzle? 🦓🦓What if could all be part of a neighbourhood dazzle? Outwitting our foes by dazzling them together ✨✨✨

[Make/Shift @Make_shiftAV]

We started the week in style with a brilliant workshop hosted by ⁦@Platform_Thrty1⁩ at Infinite Wellbeing Community Centre digging into all things Community Co-Creation ✨✨

[giulio quaggiotto @gquaggiotto]

[Yes] "I’m a firm believer that much knowledge of systems is gained from acting in them, rather than trying to study them... Start where you are & integrate with what’s there today - separating understanding from acting will lead to false models" https://t.co/6HcDEYE9Lb

[Sociocracy For All @Sociocracy4All]

Ocean in a drop 💧
#Quotes #Quoteoftheday

[RnD Ventures (Prev RnDAO) @RnDAO__]

How can we create an environment where people actually listen to each other?

@ted_rau, co-founder of @Sociocracy4All & Governance Lead at @DarkMatter_Labs, describes the application of Sociocracy in DAOs and explores the past, present, & future of governance in this RnDAO talk.

[Rachel Smith @RacheLocal]

Grateful for lovely weekend soaking up glorious explosion of spring 🌱💚☀️ incl visit to inspiring 🌳@CraftWood19⁩ and gorgeous evening at @grow_outside⁩ open mic night🌱🎤. Perfect combo of wonderful people, magic places and music 💚🙏🙏