Who is a Relational Activist? Someone working with empathy, compassion, the ability to connect & form networks, with an understanding that change happens through relationships. #RelationalActivism youtu.be/n53hW-0r3c0

Entanglement and Connection: Karen Barad and the Art of Relational Thinking In the world of facilitation, activism, and human connection, the ideas of Karen Barad run deep. Her work on entanglement and intra-action reminds us that nothing exists in isolation. We are always co-creating, shaping, and being shaped by the relationships and environments. This work connects for me with [pictured] Marcel Duchamp’s First Papers of Surrealism exhibition in 1942, where the entangled strings that crisscrossed the space disrupted the traditional viewer-artwork relationship. Duchamp’s web invited participants to navigate, to pause, and to rethink their positions within a shared space. In both cases, from Barad and Duchamp what emerges is not a fixed meaning but a dynamic interplay—an invitation to be part of something larger. This mirrors facilitation and relational activism. When we create spaces for dialogue, we are practicing what Barad might call intra-action. We’re not separate from the people or ideas we engage with; rather, we’re deeply intertwined. The connections we foster ripple outward. In facilitation, this means embracing complexity, leaning into stuckness, and recognising that what emerges is not predetermined but co-created. “Witness without steering,” as we’ve said, allowing relational acts to unfold with their own rhythm and potential. Whether in an art installation, a workshop, or a moment of shared vulnerability, Barad reminds us that meaning is not in things but in the interactions between them. As facilitators, activists, and co-creators, we navigate these entanglements daily. The challenge—and the beauty—is in remaining present to the possibilities that arise when we embrace the relational. #RelationalActivism #Facilitation #KarenBarad #Entanglement #Connection #IntraAction

“ if one but threw a sponge full of colors at a wall…. Leonardo wrote: it would leave a patch in which one might see a beautiful landscape. It is probably true that one might see all kinds of things in such a patch—such as animals, human heads, battles, cliffs, the sea, clouds, or forests.  Even though such patches may help you to invent things, they will never teach you how to carry any particular project to completion.”  The point Leonardo was making is clear:  He argues for The Art of Context. His preference was for imagination plus living—seeing, exploring, and understanding the context in which people, animals, nature, and things exist, and making a close study of this lifeworld an integral part of his craft. From the outset, he regarded landscape not simply as a backdrop; he saw people in their whole environment as an inextricable part of nature. In another part of his writing, he even recommends staring at stains on walls as a source of inspiration. Images  From the world of leonardo  #CloserToPeople #LivedFutures #RelationalActivism

relationSHIPS “a relationship is like a voyage – if you break down the word, it’s relation and ship.” Social Work Compass 🧭 Our regular column written by Richard Devine and @familygroupmeet published in Professional Social Work magazine. This piece is inspired by this insight from Michael Clarke on relationSHIPS, as crucial vessels 🚢 Containers for trust, and ballast for our journey in working with people. Prioritising the ‘Wavey” path of relationships over rigid processes. ⛵️🌊 #RelationalActivism

The new East Sussex podcast is Connecting Conversations: Stories from Social Work by the Sea… Seeking connecting conversations that develop our storytelling approach - moving into dialogue. This podcast connects local experience with national expertise, giving airtime to stories told, stories lived, and stories unheard. This episode features Dr Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE & Michelle Hayman   The Significance of Storytelling in Black History Growing up, Michelle didn’t fully understand her dad’s work at first. As Michelle learned more, she understood the challenges her dad faced. He was the first Black social worker in East Sussex, pushing against barriers in a system that wasn’t always welcoming. His resilience left a lasting impact on her, and it’s a strength she carries into her own career. Now an Operational Manager, Michelle has surpassed her dad’s achievements in terms of seniority, and he couldn’t be prouder. His book, Reflections on the Glass Ceiling, captures his struggles and legacy—one that Michelle is proud to continue. Her own children are even showing interest in following in their family’s footsteps. This conversation is about bringing stories into dialogue— Join us in taking these stories on air. Follow the East Sussex account below, and the links to the podcast, stay listening for the reading by Beverley at the end. Thank you Beverley and Michelle  #ConnectingConversations #Dialogue  #Stories

EP.6. Growing up in care, shame and healing - Relational Activism in Social Work | Podcast on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6HG…

Spokes to Circles: Rethinking Participation in Local Authorities A standout moment for me happened recently during a call with senior professionals from different parts of the country. We discussed citizen participation groups, particularly those involving parents, when someone asked, “How do you allocate parents to this?” Although this question came from a genuine place of learning, for me it highlighted a fundamental issue with how community involvement is often perceived within local authority structures. The word “allocate” suggests a top-down approach, reflecting a tendency, which all of us professionals are guilty of at times, to see participation as something to be managed and controlled rather than facilitated and shared. This brings me to what I call the "spoke versus circle" conundrum. Many participation leads we have talked to recently within local authorities work under considerable pressure, often coordinating multiple relationships with community members from a central position. They become the "hub" or "spoke," responsible for overseeing each connection and every aspect of the groups they are responsible for. While this model may work for certain projects, it often becomes overwhelming. Professionals in this role may feel anxious, stretched thin, or even conflicted, balancing the community's needs with the bureaucratic demands of their institution. This spoke model can sometimes lead to tension between members of the group itself. When a single person manages all relationships, they become a gatekeeper, and the sense of collective ownership within the group can diminish. In some cases, this can even lead to conflicts, as members perceive the participation process as inequitable. An alternative approach—the "circle" or solidarity method— instead of controlling each relationship from a central hub, the facilitation promotes shared ownership and collective responsibility. The group becomes a space of solidarity, where members contribute and support one another. The participation professional's role shifts from manager to facilitator, helping to set up the structure then allowing for the group’s natural dynamics to flourish. Setting up a successful group, however, requires more than just initial preparation. Consideration must also be given to what happens after the formal meeting ends. There must be a sense of “aftercare” or a plan for continued interaction and support within the group. Nevertheless, I  feel that the essence of a successful group lies not in micromanaging every detail but in fostering trust and ownership among its members. Moving from a spoke to a circle mindset could encourage local authorities to rethink their participation activity —not as managers but as facilitators of a shared journey. Images, Reinventing Organisations for the quote in the comments* & Art: Louise Bourgeois Spiral & The Beating of the Heart feel free to get in touch if this resonates and you want to discuss further #RelationalActivism