Our Future’s Post

My heart is bursting with joy after a phenomenal 24 hours celebrating the change underway in Grimsby/NE Lincs to build Our Future Our fabulous host Abbie Dewhurst started the day with a reflection that “dreaming the impossible felt possible as a child” and that she was backed to follow her big dreams. The Open House is a collective of people who are still dreaming big and backing each other to make those dreams a reality. The change that is happening is real, ambitious and so inspiring. Rooted in a shared vision of a thriving future, relationships of trust and leaders from every sector getting stuck in to making change happen. We are still at the foothills, yet the change that has happened in a year is tangible. Relationships and collaborations sparked in previous Open Houses are now bearing fruit - there were so many stories including : - Ann-Marie Matson relationship centred transformation of children’s social care and how 100 businesses have become fostering friendly to ensure that children who need it are supported by their town. - Simon Beeton unlocking the power of social enterprise to ensure all young people can be at home in their hometown - The collective of East Marsh United , Our Future, North East Lincolnshire Council , Navigo, Together for Childhood NSPCC and University of Birmingham creating and delivering a plan with residents of the East Marsh to build the neighbourhood they want We also heard about the change that the work in Grimsby has inspired in Wrexham, Scunthorpe and around the country (shout out to Lisa February’s inspirational writing and speaking) The room showed what we are capable of if we come together with big ambition to work in the collective good. During the day we were challenged to be 10% braver - this is the group of people I feel 10% braver with. It is an absolute joy to work with such a wonderful, passionate collective and to work alongside our great partners at The Change Arc who made the event sing Docks Beers , Grimsby Town Football Club, Jason Stockwood, James Perry, Killian Troy-O'Donovan, Rob Griffiths, Iain Fowler, Richard Askam, Josie Moon, Mark Webb, Mark Hodson, E-Factor Group Ltd, 🙋🏼♀️ Jose Stewart, 2025 Group, Rob Walsh, Lucy Ottewell-Key EMBA, Sandra Ritchie, Felicia Linch, Wilkin Chapman Solicitors, Majdi Osman, Tyrone Curran, Scunthorpe Tomorrow, Rachel Clacher CBE , David Robinson, The Relationships Project, Michelle Donner, Oasis Community Learning, Amy Quickfall, Claire Thompson, Alice Moore, PhD