It's all about stories

As the holiday season is upon us that well earned, desperately sought after time away is finally here. Even if you aren't physically away on holiday there is generally a slower pace through August.

Only by taking time away do we really ever have time to truly reflect. Removed from the day to day rhythms and routines of life is our a chance to look in from a distance, the important experiences, relationships and life choices we are making of who we are and want to be. It is, and should be, a never ending cycle of defining the next chapter of our autobiography, built on observation and curiosity about ourselves, but importantly others and the wider world around us. 

I am thinking this whilst at Love Supreme festival last weekend - stories of jazz and music from around the world, and the curiosity of observing all walks of life descending from everywhere. But is was also my own resilience story of battling 25mph wind and rain in a roof tent!! The tent is actually fantastic, but less fortunate our camp kitchen and belongings that hadn't been in the car..

At the heart of my own journey and purpose, has and is, to share and give platform to others, to connect people to people, story to story. I relish the opportunity to meet someone new, to take will time to listen to someone else’s story knowing it will always shift something in me, make me think differently, or just allow me to reflect on how different others lives, perspectives and interests truly are.

It’s all about stories. Learning and building awareness through stories like it has been for a 1000 years.  I've been saying this to my son, who still has such a journey of recovery from his accident earlier in the year which has further defined and shaped us all. A personal, and family story that we are crafting right now to be one that we can be proud of in the future.

People to celebrate

So imagine my pleasure and the serendipitous coming together with Sam Crosby Speaker Storyteller Facilitator - oral storyteller and thrilled by his work helping organisations and groups to explore depth together through stories.

This is at the very heart of the Tech4Good South West Champions, our vehicle for building community and action through #techforgood stories. Tech4Good South West is a collaborative social & tech sector community initiative - a convenor and bridge of multiple sectors, skills and expertise. So at the very heart of what we are do is listen, learn, celebrate and create space and supportive environments for engagement. We want to showcase all techforgood stories, big, small, start-up, charity initiative - please share their stories...

Strengthening foundations

As Alicia Teagle prepares for her first baby she has been on fire recording and platforming stories for our tech for good podcast, and the wonderful Arielle Tye editing behind the scenes. Take a listen to recent episodes that deeply explore social mobility and diversity in tech in the South West, investing in minorities in the tech industry, and transforming charity grants and funding.

I've been putting energy into growing our capacity and team at Tech4Good South West and 100% celebrating the motivation and enthusiasm from Dhevesh Mewawalla Ed Howarth and Ali Bailey for bringing their skills and energy to take this initiative forward. Our voice is growing and building momentum as we galvanise and build support for more impact led conversation and narrative, particularly focused on digital and technology. 

I’ve met amazing founders and feel passionate about giving them stage and platform.

The wonders of working together and my initiative to work more in person has changed the dynamic of my work. A 1 hour coffee chat is 100% worth more than 4 hours on zoom. The connection is undoubtedly deeper, the understanding of each other, the conversation richer and more diverse.

I’ve spent much more time on the move - with catchups and events in Bristol, London and of course Bath where I’ve also enjoyed more time working from the Bath Spa The Studio and feeling more connected to the city and region in which I work and live, and of course occasionally play!

At Dot Project we've also been busy. Though much of this work is online it brings a different type of focus and depth of work as we build out the next iteration of our charity support programme alongside the Charity Digital team and will be excited to launch this in a few months time. A closer to home project recently working with the fabulous Bristol Old Vic Theatre School supporting them with their alumni data, and the work with Naomi Miller has been such a pleasure, what an amazing organisation.

It is super tough in the non profit sector right now, well even more than of course it always has been, but capacity is so stretched - funding is so absent - and there is a lot of work needed to support our communities. Please do think about what you can do to help, to support, to create positive stories for you and others around you.

Until next time,

Annie x