We collaborACTED.

We tried.

We created.

We made lots of connections.

We had lots of ideas.

We talked about hard topics.

We felt connected.

We felt energised.

We felt enthusiastic.

We feel hopeful.

We feel optimistic.

Sewing Seeds

We have launched. We have 'took off'.

We are excited about where we might go.

We will TRY to Go Far.

We know it's not always just the end result that is important, but the actions we take and the process of trying.

As through those actions and those processes, that the impact will spread. The the seeds of change will be sewn.

And remember...

The one who plants the seed can never see the fruit that grows.

Innovation and Transformation 

Together, we want to try to transform Coventry—not just create something new for it. We want to try and tackle the big issues facing our city, together, and make a real difference for everyone who lives here.

This isn’t just about a new table; it’s about finding ways to make positive impacts on society and culture, biodiversity and sustainability, climate change and behaviour change, economic development, jobs and skills, mental and physical health and wellbeing, and digital inclusion.

We want to use research and policy to help Coventry in it's constant strive to be a healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable place for everyone.

The what, why and where of the project

The WHAT and the WHY? The STORY (CollaborACTION)

In this workshop attendees reflected on a short animation created by Josh Leach, India Holme and Marie Clews.

The animation, 'Bob's Story' shares the story of a little blob, called Bob. Bob has a tough time and the animation helps us to reflect on why Bob had a tough time, what things could be done differently to help other Bob's.

In this workshop collaborACTORS considered changes to the animation, what it meant to them, what other stories we may want to tell, to who, why and how.

'Bob's Story' was well received overall and collaborACTORs mostly felt that it was a very engaging and visual way of trying to explain how people and policy are connected.

How we are going to do it

The HOW and the RESEARCH (Change)

This workshop considered and explored the research aspect of the project with Haley Beer and Roze Navab. "Cooking Up The Perfect Research Project" used a cooking analogy to explored what makes the ‘perfect research project in terms of ingredients, skills and methods, and final product.

Through interactive discussions, CollaborACTORS explored what ingredients are required to start an effective research project, what skillsets researchers should have to help stakeholders engage and thrive in research projects, and characteristics of the perfect research project outcomes.

This was the first chance to reflect on what makes Coventry a dynamic and impactful research landscape, and to play a vital role in driving the research focus of the project.

The WHERE are we going?

The VISION (Impact)

This workshop was inspired by the spoken word piece created by Coventry Poet Laureate, John Bernard, especially for our project.

Our CollaborACTORS came together to reflect on the project’s vision, looking at Coventry’s past, present, and future. They considered how things have been, how they are now, and where they could go.

The group discussed where we might be in 6 months and where we want to go in the longer term. The session was facilitated by John Bernard and India Holme.

Throughout the workshop, the themes of drawing lessons from the past, understanding the present, and working towards a hopeful, optimistic future emerged. The impacts of lockdowns, austerity, screen time, disconnection, loneliness, and anxiety about the future were all addressed. The group emphasized the importance of creating a vision that is both realistic and achievable, yet also ambitious and hopeful—building on Coventry's existing strengths and expertise.

The HOW and the KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

CovenTRY how are we going to TRY and exchange knowledge and create change and impact?

Working with Adela Glyn-Davies and Sherrie Edgar, this workshop saw CollaborACTORS break into two teams and test the first prototype of the "Impact Compass", a workshop in a box, bringing gamification and play together for co-designing between communities, researchers and policy makers.

This session was a tremendous success, demonstrating first indicators of collaborative systems mapping as accessible and inclusive regardless of people's knoweldeg background.

With the feedback and asset proposals, the Impact Compass is going into the next round of iterations for the next stage of this practice-led enquiry.