We’re super excited to announce an all new support package for the Community Reporters in 2025!

Thanks to funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, we’ve been able to design a core support offer to the Community Reporter Network. From meet-ups to peer learning spaces to skills development sessions – our team will be providing a mixture of training, mentoring and convening to support the Network to go from strength to strength.

Here are the upcoming sessions being held in 2025…

Community Reporter Meet-Ups

These 1-hour, online sessions provide an opportunity for Community Reporters to come together and share with others in the Network what you’ve been working on, as well as hear about the latest opportunities in the Network.

• 12pm – 1pm, Tuesday 11th March – Register Here
• 12pm – 1pm, Tuesday 10th June – Register Here
• 12pm – 1pm, Tuesday 9th September – Register Here
• 12pm – 1pm, Tuesday 9th December – Register Here

Community Reporter Skills Sessions

These are 1-hour online sessions that focus on a specific Community Reporting skill. They are designed as ‘top-up’ or ‘recap’ trainings for existing Community Reporters, as well as being introductory sessions for people who are interested in Community Reporting. 

• Using the Community Reporter website / 5pm – 6pm Wednesday 30th April – Register Here
• Story Reviewing / 5pm – 6pm Thursday 31st July – Register Here
• Video Recording Techniques / 5pm – 6pm Thursday 30th October – Register Here

Community Reporter Peer Learning Spaces

These are 90-minute, online peer supporter and learning spaces for people who are using Community Reporting in their work or social change projects that are facilitated by our team.

• Session One: Monday 10th March 12:00pm – 13:30pm – Register Here
• Session Two: Monday 16th June 12:00pm – 13:30pm – Register Here
• Session Three: Monday 15th September 12:00pm – 13:30pm – Register Here
• Session Four: Monday 8th December 12:00pm – 13:30pm – Register Here

Global Majority Communities Peer Learning Spaces

These are 90-minute, online peer support and learning spaces for people from Global Majority communities involved in lived experience storytelling, co-production and social change work, facilitated by our team.  

• Session One: Monday 12th May 12:00pm – 13:30pm – Register Here
• Session Two: Monday 10th November 17:30pm – 19:00pm – Register Here

We look forward to seeing you at the sessions!

Earlier this year, the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) released their 2025 Parks and Greenspaces State of the Market report. In it, they reported that 80% of councils believe parks are being disproportionately affected by budget cuts despite 90% recognising that lack of investment in these spaces will have health and social impacts. They also report a drop in the number of councils who believe the public should have free access to all parks.

With this in mind, we have writen a Policy & Practice Briefing that presents insights from lived experience stories about the role of parks and green spaces in people’s wellbeing, sharing policy and practice recommendations that local authorities can implement.

The evidence that has informed this briefing has come from Community Reporter stories from people who regularly access – or would like to access – parks, green spaces, and other public natural settings. We have looked at 29 stories gathered across various projects, as well as independently, between 2019 and 2025.

The briefing will be supported by an online Knowledge Exchange event, held on Monday 30th June 2025, 12pm to 1pm. You can register for the session using Eventbrite, by clicking here or on the button below.

This work is supported by Esmée Fairburn Foundation.

Systemic racism continues to underpin the experiences of people from Global Majority communities in the UK, yet they are not listened to. This is highlighted by contradictions between the lived experience of racialised people, and the claims of the previous government that systemic racism does not exist in this country.

With this in mind, and in partnership with the Co-Production Collective, we have writen a Policy & Practice Briefing on the lived experiences of racism in professional settings, and the way in which they are not being listened to or truly heard. This is symptomatic of predominantly white organisations, operating in predominantly white spaces, continuing to uphold the status quo by believing that simply being ‘not racist’ is enough, when they need to be actively anti-racist. 

The briefing presents insights from the often-unheard experiences of people from Global Majority communities in the workplace. Based on the 37 stories gathered from people from Global Majority communities in 2024, we found that systemic racism is prevalent in many professional spaces. Global Majority voices are routinely not listened to or heard by white peers, with racism in the form of microaggressions and tokenism creating a culture of power imbalance. Based on these insights, the briefing presents practical recommendations for employers – specifically those working in leadership or HR roles, as to how they can ensure Global Majority voices are heard and the manifestations of systemic racism are addressed in their organisation. 

The briefing will be supported by an online Knowledge Exchange event, held on Monday 24th March 2025, 12pm to 1pm. You can register for the session using Eventbrite, by clicking here or on the button below.

This work is supported by Esmée Fairburn Foundation.

In this blog Isaac Samuels introduces key themes and recommendations from the ‘Understanding Anti-Racism in Co-Production Spaces’ report supported by us and People’s Voice Media

Over the past year, myself (Isaac Samuels) and Samantha-Jane Ofoegbu have been on a deeply emotional and transformative journey, exploring the experiences of individuals from racialised backgrounds involved in co-production. This journey has shed light on the unique challenges, inequities, and at times, painful realities that emerge in these spaces. We have seen that co-production, though considered to be collaborative and equitable, can too often become a space where systemic racism is perpetuated.

As part of this work, we’ve gathered over 30 personal stories and produced an insight report that brings to the forefront the voices of those too often overlooked in these processes. Through numerous sense-making workshops, we have collectively explored the key findings, delving into how we can reshape these spaces to create more inclusive experiences for individuals from the global majority.

It’s fair to say that co-production is not immune to racism. It is, in fact, a space where inequities often play out, consciously or unconsciously. This was made all the more apparent during our two “Conversations of Change,” where we invited people to respond to our initial findings and offer their insights on what we, as a community, can do to increase inclusivity. The stories shared during these conversations, were both heart-breaking and all too familiar to those of us from racialised backgrounds.

One comment that has stayed with me is:

“You can’t do co-production without talking about racism.”

This simple but powerful statement speaks volumes. Co-production is meant to break down barriers and foster collaboration, yet without addressing racism head-on, we risk replicating the very hierarchies we seek to dismantle. True co-production must start with an honest conversation about race and power.

Want to find out more about this project, including the list of recommendations that emerged from this piece of work? Visit the Co-Production Collective Blog here.

Thank you to People’s Voice Media, Co-Production Collective and everyone from the global majority community who took part in this work for their support and commitment to this project. Thanks also to Kareen Cox of Absolutely Kareen for her illustrations that help us bring the report to life. For further infotmation please contact Co-Production Collective via email on coproduction@ucl.ac.uk and People’s Voice Media via email on enquires@peoplesvoicemedia.co.uk

Are you passionate about social justice, community development, or changing societal narratives? Do you have a story that could shift perspectives and inspire change? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

We are proud to launch Amplifying Voices 2025-2026, a new change makers programme in partnership with People’s Voice Media (PVM) and Co-Production Collective, funded by The National Lottery. This initiative is designed specifically for individuals from the global majority—Black, Brown, and racialised communities—who want to develop new skills, strengthen their expertise, and make a real impact in their communities.

At People’s Voice Media and Co-Production Collective, we are committed to being actively anti-racist organisations. We recognise the power of lived experience and the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping a more just society. This programme is about amplifying the voices of those who are too often unheard or ignored—because while communities speak out loudly and clearly, decisions are too often made without them.

Whether your passion lies in climate change, carers’ rights, housing, or any other issue close to your heart, this is your opportunity to make your voice heard and turn your vision into action.

This programme will equip you with essential tools and skills, including digital storytelling, facilitation, and story curation, to help you craft and share your message effectively.

We are looking for 10 changemakers to take part in this unique journey. The programme is designed to provide you with the guidance, connections, and resources needed to bring your project to life—whether it’s a small initiative or a large-scale movement.

Want to find out more and apply for a place? visit the Co-Production Collective Blog here.

So, if you’re ready to tell your story, make an impact, and shape the future of social justice, this is your moment. Don’t hesitate – apply now and join us in amplifying the voices of the global majority. We can’t wait to welcome you to the programme. Let’s create change together. 🚀

We’re making a change by we want you to stay connected with us…

After careful reflection on X as a platform and how it aligns with our organisation’s values, strategic goals and future vision, we’ve decided to step back from it. But don’t worry – you can still keep in touch with us!

Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest updates on our work, events, and opportunities with us. Plus, our Blog right here on the website will continue to share insights and stories from our work.

Thanks for being part of our journey – and make sure to keep in touch with us!