Takeaways from a ‘Mycelial’ Gathering — An Online Peer Support Call for Community Developers
On March 21st 2024, over 50 experienced community asset developers met online for a ‘mycelial gathering’ — from London to Sunderland, Yorkshire to Cornwall, Margate to Plymouth and more!
This followed the success of the gathering at Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking in September 2023
Big thanks to everyone who joined and shared their insights and challenges on driving neighbourhood-wide transformation. These discussions and connections are crucial as we together shape an emerging peer network of people activating and stewarding land and buildings in their places — with their communities, for the long term.
A special shout-out to funders Power to Change, and our co-facilitators / co-convenors, community asset developers Dr Jess Steele, OBE, Melissa Mean and Power to Change trustees.
We spent the session:
🍄 Mapping our “mycelium” system, inspired by the work of New Constellations; asking ourselves, what kind of role do we play in our networks (mother trees? connectors?)? How can we be stronger together?
💰 Strategies for devolving long-term financial wealth into the grassroots, including aggregating and mutualising our asset portfolios to access larger, more patient capital
🔄 Sharing best practice, e.g. on moving from meanwhile use to community ownership and supporting each other in times of crisis
🎉 Celebrating the collaborative spirit that defines this work….
Key topics and takeaways:
1. Imagination and hope in community settings
Participants discussed the power of art and persistence to inspire communities. Ideas included less permission-seeking and more action, using art as a medium, and celebrating failure as part of the process.
Examples of engaging people included community mapping and ‘hairdresser’-style interactions and the idea of having a picnic and creating poetry was highlighted as a way to keep community activities open-ended and inclusive.
2. Support in times of crisis
There was a clear call for establishing safety hubs or dedicated spaces for crisis support, highlighting the resilience built when people know they have a network behind them. Emphasis was placed on intentional relationship building, deep listening, and responsive networks to create a sense of safety and support.
The concept of an Ethiopian church offering various rooms for community life, including crisis support, was suggested as a model for creating virtual spaces that provide a spectrum of support (as well as joyful activities!).
3. Transitioning to community ownership
The use of meanwhile spaces to build trust and credibility, and the challenges of planning, business rates, and VAT in transitioning to community ownership. Participants discussed the potential of shared legal advice and the concept of spatial justice as frameworks for community ownership. The Makespace Oxford example was cited, showcasing how a space can evolve from temporary use to a permanent community asset, embodying principles of spatial justice.
4. Building trust with local councils
The importance of building and maintaining good relationships with local authorities, overcoming the challenges of changing council officers, and the value of having a proven track record.
There was a suggestion for creating a training pack or programme to support lobbying efforts and address the perceived risks by council officers.
5. Fostering a collective narrative
"Generative and investigative journalism" was suggested as a tool for creating engaging and motivational community stories.
For example, using song and environment-focused storytelling, can motivate and unify communities around a shared identity. Focusing on foundational 'below ground' work can support visible outcomes.
6. Leveraging mycelial networks
Visions and ideas are strengthened when community asset developers can get support from peers and connect to networks. There was a notable concern about working in silos and the critical need for collaboration and mutual support to avoid burnout and collapse.
7. Mutualising assets and risk
“Councils and funding prove difficult and the future is uncertain. Property and land are too expensive.”
Participants discussed strategies for aggregating and mutualising portfolios to derisk and enhance profitability. The conversation included the challenges of engaging with traditional banking systems and the opportunities for creating community-share offers and engaging pension funds in community investments – for example, CAN Bristol's approach to shared ownership and investment in community assets as a pragmatic way of sharing risk and leveraging collective strength.
8. Engaging younger generations
Younger generations need to be involved in community asset development, with ideas on creating apprenticeship opportunities for asset management and education ‘courses’ to impart essential skills.
"Community asset leaders happen by accident... Need to devolve to younger generations," was a point that resonated with the group; we need to nurture the next generation of leaders through intentional support and educational pathways.
9. Mycelial emoji mapping
Melissa invited participants to choose the emojis that symbolised how they saw their role in the ‘mycelial ecosystem’. Many different aspects of community engagement, support, and development came through. Participants identified with symbols like trees for growth, mushrooms for networking, and anchors for stability, each of which is vital for the ecosystem. The activity helped participants recognise how we’re already contributing to an emerging network.
Key needs:
Funding: There's appetite to collectivise and shape the finance ecosystem for e.g. aggregating and mutualising local assets portfolios nationally – in order to be able to access more aligned, patient capital.
Youth engagement: Actively integrate younger generations into community initiatives to ensure longevity of our systems change and fresh perspectives
Crisis support structures: Establish dedicated spaces and networks for resilience and support during crises
Community-council trust: Strengthen relationships between community and local councils, ensure councils identify and value community innovation
Key opportunities and proposals:
Creative storytelling: Utilise art and journalism to foster a collective narrative and place-based and network identity
Mycelial networks: Expand peer support networks to enable mutual aid, ‘skills banks’ and knowledge sharing
Asset mutualisation: Collaboratively manage and invest into community assets to reduce risks and increase sustainability.
Stay in touch with the mycelial movement.
We're currently seeking funds to be able to continue to organise and implement these missions – so please get in touch if you wish to collaborate.
