On May 23rd, we celebrated the launch of our Allyship Network at 6pm-7pm. 

Have a read of our Associate Tracey's reflections on the event.

I was excited to be at the Allyship Network launch last night, even though I was driving so couldn’t contribute and wasn’t on screen. But, in fact, this gave me a unique opportunity to just “be” in the space with no expectations.  

I found that I could truly focus on listening to hear, rather than listening to respond, and I found myself deeply thoughtful afterwards.
I thought about the scarcity of spaces which are both brave and safe, and how privileged and uniquely positioned we are in Peer Support to have the knowledge, skills and ambition to create them. I thought about polyphony - a multitude of voices - and how being comfortable with silence helps to encourage this. I heard so many different voices yesterday!  I thought about the power of peer support and how a community of people who share experience are perfectly placed to offer the compassionate flow Marissa talks about so eloquently.

One of the skills we have been encouraged to embrace as part of Open Dialogue is Embodiment - a mindfulness practice in which one becomes aware of physical feelings arising in the present moment. And I had ALL the feels yesterday evening, especially throughout my rib cage, which I felt swelling with pride and gratitude as the session progressed.

Gee and Sharif created a truly warm and welcoming space. While outlining their objectives for the network, they also left space for contribution from network members, making it clear that co-production is embedded at the heart.

As this network grows and develops, I completely trust that Gee and Sharif will hold the space with compassion, offer gentle challenge as necessary, and develop a truly authentic space for Allyship to flourish, grow and then propagate beyond the network itself.

Future Dates for Network Meetings

To join this network, please sign up here!