Narrative Practice’s Post

👋 Hey Hey, Built Environment Change Makers 👋 🌟 Expressions of Interest are still open for… Reckoning with History and Reimagining Built Environment Practice🌟 If you are interested in engagement, collaborative ways of working, and inclusive and just built environments, Reckoning with History and Reimagining Built Environment Practice might be for you. Over 11 weeks, we will…. 🧐 Reckoning with History 🧐 ~ Critically reflect on the connections between colonisation and the built environment. ~ Explore the historical complexities shaping the built environment and contemporary practices. 🤔 Build Critical Self-Awareness 🤔 ~ Consider and reflect on personal ways of knowing and doing. ~ Uncover power dynamics and gain insights into individual biases. 💭💫 Reimagining Practice 💫💭 ~ Develop a deeper understanding of inclusion, decolonising practice, and collaborative engagement within the built environment. ~ Foster collaboration, inclusivity, and justice in collectively reshaping systems and practices. If you have any questions, please get in touch here on LinkedIn or via email at holly@homelanguage.com.au Join ME in May as we begin a journey of reimagining how we recreate and make built environments 🌈🏡✨ 🤸♂️ 🔗 Expressions of Interest and Registration Visit https://lnkd.in/gmXAQvZF for information and registration. #builtenvironment #inclusivedesign #transformativelearning #belonging #designeducation #spatialjustice #decolonisation #antiracism

Last week I co-delivered a workshop on self-awareness raising, deep listening skills, and career visioning with the awesome Thea Platt. It was to a small group of creative arts practitioners working on the Wide Open arts season in my local area in South Devon of #Torbay all part of a wider collaboration project with local youth arts organisations - a group of social enterprises working together to build skills.... and drive the talent pipeline of creative arts practitioners who feel supported, encouraged, and ready for work. It was the first time we'd done something like this - investing in (beyond the usual on-the-job mentoring and support) a group of freelancers to help them sustain their careers in the longer term - and doing it through creative play and radical listening. What was super special about it for me was that several of the group (myself included) went into the workshop feeling a bit on the back foot - be it sickness, sleepless nights, the usual 'first day nerves' kind of anxieties (and other 'edgy' life stuff) - and we came with our 'baggage', owned it, holding a nurturing space that allowed the 'whole self'. This is the kind of stuff I do in my regenerative leadership circles, but not in a space like this, embedded deep in the community. With central nervous systems calmed, I left the session feeling energised and inspired, excited for the incredible stories they are going to bring to life. Appreciation must go to Filament Works CIC and the #WideOpen season for investing in this work with additional thanks to the funders. #employability #skillsdevelopment #culturedevelopment #torbay #torbaytalent #leadership #selfleadership #selfawareness #motivation #facilitation #coachingworkshop #talentdevelopment #youngtalent

As another semester at BIMM University teaching Diversity in the Creative Industries wraps up, I wanted to spotlight the incredible 3rd-year students I’ve had the privilege to teach. Before marking begins, I’m reflecting on how curious, engaged, and thoughtful they’ve been throughout. This semester reinforced the importance of empowering young people from all backgrounds without defaulting to doom and gloom. As professionals, it’s easy to focus on what’s broken—and yes, there’s plenty to be frustrated about. But if we’re raising these challenges without pointing to solutions or fostering hope, then we risk losing the energy and drive that’s crucial for change. These students have done just that—approaching tough conversations with empathy, creativity, and a clear focus on solutions. I’m excited to see how they’ll reshape the industry for the better. 🌟 To my network: When we raise challenges, let’s also share progress and pathways for impact. Change starts with vision and hope, not just critique. Here’s what we’ve covered over 12 weeks: 📝 Week 1: Introduction to Diversity in the Creative Industries 🌍 Week 2: Race, Nationality, Authenticity, and Acculturation 🎨 Week 3: Appropriation and Appreciation 🏘️ Week 4: Community Identity and Integration 📖 Week 5: Cultural Narrative and Expression 💰 Week 6: Commodification of Cultural Narrative ✅ Week 7: Assessment Review ✊ Week 8: Reclamation and Authorship ✨ Week 9: Resistance and Collective Action 🤝 Week 10: Allyship in the Creative Industries 🏢 Week 11: Modern-Day DEI and the Workplace ⚖️ Week 12: Your Rights as Creative Practitioners This structure helped us ground important discussions in both theory and practice, fostering a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion in the creative industries. #DiversityInTheCreativeIndustries #CreativeEducation #InclusivePractices #EmpoweringStudents #CulturalNarratives #CreativeIndustries #Mentorship #DEI #Allyship #InnovationInEducation #RepresentationMatters

What is the response we hear the most from Women in Construction? "I feel like I am on an Island!" 🎉 Let's change this TOGETHER. 🎉 As we continue to celebrate "Mentor Month" and do it throughout the year. We asked our WCF members at our recent luncheon: 1️⃣ Are you a mentor, or like to have a mentor? 2️⃣ What advice would you give to the next generation? Responses: Gwen Sollenberger, PE (BLE - engineering) 🌟 Mentors 2 "If you are in school and want to work in construction, go out and get a job working in construction, even if it's shoveling dirt. You will learn from others and learn what you want or do not want to do." Rachel Veltri (Neves Construction) 🌟 Several mentees "Be patient, Be kind, there are many paths to one destination." Jackie Murray (Marsh Bell Construction) 🌟 8 Superintendents "Laugh every day and Enjoy the job, or you will drive yourself crazy, life is too short." Catalina Miller, PhD (Michelin) 🌟 Would love to mentor (looking for mentees) "It's okay not to have all the answers." Hope Sickels (Morgan Corp) 🌟 Would love to mentor or find a mentor! "Keep an open mind. Make sure to express your interest." Magdalene Khan (Morgan Corp) "Ask as many questions as possible. Keep growing and learning." Christi Powell (84 Lumber) 🌟 Mentoring several and has a mentor! "Offer a hand to whoever asks for help. There are no closed doors." Kim Bos (UES - engineering) Best for Last!!!! 🌟 She has a mentor and would love to mentor others! "Network in meaningful ways and be open-minded ~ even with trusted competitors. Women supporting women in our industry can only take you further in your career. Mine and Gwen's 👆🏻 friendship is a shining example." "If you are willing and have spare time (it doesn't take much time), become a mentor ~ It will bring you so much satisfaction! There are so many who still need mentors. If you are looking at this industry or new to it, ask someone to mentor you!" ~ Rachel and Angela, Founders of WCF Upstate SC #womenconstructionforum #womeninconstruction #womenengineers #womenincivil #womensupportingwomen

🌿"Those who dare to teach must never cease to learn"🌿 Take a look at Caldmore Primary Academy PD Lead & Academy Transformation Trust Community member Matthew's #LearningAtWorkWeek blog, in which he highlights the importance & impact of our Trust Communities 🌐 - while sharing his own inspiring insights around collaboration & the dynamic journey of learning ✈️ Read it here! 👇 https://lnkd.in/e_YWNrhm #TransformingLives #TransformingPD

🚀 Exciting Updates: SAT/ACT Prep & Coaching Services Are Picking Up! 📚 At Greater Promise Elite Learning, we’re thrilled to see a surge in students and families taking the next step toward academic excellence with our SAT/ACT prep and coaching services! 🌟 ✨ What’s Driving This Momentum? Professional Coaching Services: Our experienced team members provide one-on-one guidance tailored to each teacher's goals, ensuring they gain both skills and confidence. Personalized Strategies: Custom study plans designed to focus on each student’s strengths and areas of growth. Holistic Support: Beyond test prep, we empower students with time management, stress reduction, and problem-solving techniques. Test-Taking Confidence: Our coaching equips students with tools to tackle even the toughest questions while staying calm and collected. Proven Results: Students aren’t just preparing for exams—they’re achieving their goals and exceeding expectations! 💡 What We Offer: Comprehensive practice with real SAT/ACT-style questions. Timed mock tests to simulate the actual testing experience. Personalized strategies for pacing, prioritization, and maximizing scores. Ongoing feedback and study plans to address individual needs. 📈 The Outcome? Our students and teachers are gaining the confidence they need to excel, with measurable improvements in their scores. Whether aiming for competitive college admissions or scholarships, we’re here to support every step of the journey. 📩 Let’s Connect: If you or someone you know is preparing for the SAT/ACT, now is the perfect time to reach out! Together, we’ll make those academic dreams a reality. www.greaterpromise.com #CANTstopWONTstop #GreaterPromise #SATPrep #ACTPrep #CollegeReady #ProfessionalCoaching #PersonalizedLearning

Tonight marked Mentor North's first #BoardMeeting of 2025. We kicked it off with a question to celebrate the new year and #NationalMentoringMonth: "In one word or short phrase, what do you hope mentees gain from our programs in 2025?" I loved each and every response, and have seen that many of Mentor North's young participants do, indeed, experience the gains that our board members identified:  ☑ Confidence to Be Themselves  ☑ A Sense of Belonging  ☑ A Sense of Independence  ☑ Resilience  ☑ That One Person  ☑ Support  ☑ Confidence to Be Enrolled in our Programs (i.e. it does not mean they need fixing)  ☑ Safety and Belonging  ☑ Connection  ☑ Courage to Find, Practice and Use Their Voice  ☑ New Experiences  ☑ Confidence in Themselves, and Continued Growth If you or someone you know might like to join a board of directors this year, Mentor North has a few openings! Visit this link for more information, and scroll down to the board section of the page: https://lnkd.in/gH_h6YkD

Not so long ago, when I was on a panel with Toni McLelland MSc FRSA, she gave me cause to pause, and reflect on how we frame the kinds of #conversations that make us #uncomfortable. Matters that we must raise, about how we've been made to feel, but also being the recipient of feedback which makes us defensive, are challenging, but they're also necessary. So, I've renamed this resource, which I produced towards the end of last year, and is also available via the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation #PowerOfLearning hub, from Having Challenging Conversations, to Having Necessary Conversations, and I've retitled it for general use, not just for the #BuiltEnvironment. The content is abridged from my upcoming Building Inclusion - The Book, published by Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, and available for pre-order now: www.buildinginclusion.info The way we approach these issues is as important as dealing with the issue itself - so thanks Toni for the insight that helped with this change. #BuildingInclusion #Inclusion #Feedback #Listening #Learning

🌟📚 True education goes beyond transferring knowledge; it's about fostering a passion for discovery and growth. #EducationalLeadership #Inspiration #LightUpLearning https://wix.to/eqvWesD

Having difficult conversations is a crucial skill for equity work and leadership! Last night, the Penn Alexander Parent Equity Group and 228 Accelerator delved into the equityXdesign framework, moving beyond typical discussions to explore the intersection of equity and design thinking. Together, we honed skills in addressing difficult topics and fostering trust and inclusivity within our school community. One standout moment? We reenvisioned arguments as dances, not battles. Shifting from a confrontational to a collaborative approach, we embraced conversations as synchronized movements where all parties listen, respond, and evolve together. This relational shift embodies the essence of equityXdesign, nurturing inclusive school environments where everyone feels valued, acknowledged, and empowered. A big shoutout to Lauren Overton Ed.D. and the Penn Alexander Parent Equity Group for their courage, openness, and dedication to this important work. Let's dance! Interested in reshaping school dynamics through equity-centered design? Let's keep transforming these dialogues, one bold step at a time. "From my point of view, no label, no slogan, no party, no skin color, and indeed no religion is more important than the human being.” - James Baldwin #EquityXdesign #PennAlexander #EquityInSchools #InclusiveEducation #TransformingRelationships #ParentEquityGroup #Leadership #DesignThinking