Resilience Revolution – Activist in Residence project
The Boingboing approach to resilience is about “beating the odds, whilst also changing the odds”. This means that as well as creating opportunities for people and communities to bounce forward through tough times, we take action together to change things that are unfair and make things tougher for people in the first place.
In Blackpool, people and communities across the whole town are joining together to apply this approach to resilience in their own lives, homes, schools, workplaces and support services. This collective action is known as the Resilience Revolution! Part of what we have been doing is exploring the potential of activism to prevent, address and reduce mental health problems through positive action (beating the odds), whilst at the same time, tackle injustice and issues that can impact so negatively on our mental health (change the odds).
As part of our contribution to co-leading the Resilience Revolution, we are launching an exciting new project which is all about creating more ways for people to take part in activity to change the odds – by becoming a Youth Activist in Residence!
But what is activism? Check out our short animation (also visible below), co-produced by Henry (Boingboing), Jess, Gracjan & Dylan (Grand Young Company) to find out more and for some ways you can get involved.
True to one of the Resilience Revolution fundamentals (co-production), we have worked with some brilliant people to co-create what we think a residency should look like – and we are now ready to share this with the world and launch our call for:
- HOST ORGANISATIONS who are willing to support a residency
Check out the brief for details of what’s involved and get in touch if you want to find out more. We are hoping to create a ‘bank’ of host organisations who are willing to support the project and will then match a Youth Activist with them - YOUTH ACTIVISTS
Check out the brief for an overview of what it’s all about – we hope we have given you enough information to consider your ideas, but you can get in touch with us to talk it through if you wish. We will need to make sure that what we have to offer is a good fit for the ideas and change you want to make happen. So, we are asking anyone interested to submit a ‘Hope for Change’ which will help us choose who to partner with in this round.
- ALLIES & SUPPORTERS – you might love the sound of the project but not be in a position to host or be outside the age range to take up a residency but we’d still love to hear from you! We believe in the power of the collective and know that this project has the best chance of achieving change when it is surrounded by allies and supporters. There are loads of ways to contribute from shouting about it to others, to connecting people up, to mentoring a Youth Activist or taking part in a skills swap. Whatever it is you think you can offer, get in touch.
Contact Henry on [email protected] / 07999467704 – we can’t wait to hear from you!
Activist in Residence – let’s make it happen
An activist is someone who sees something wrong in society, and wants to help change things for the better.
Activists do all sorts of different things. They organise community groups, they lead marches, make films and talk to politicians.
The point is that anyone can be an activist. Maybe you’re worried about knife crime.
Maybe you’re concerned about homelessness,
Or perhaps you think we’re just not doing enough to protect the environment. Whatever it may be, if you want to do something about it, then become an activist, and help us to make a change.
Including people with learning disabilities in research – A co-produced short film
A short, animated film co-produced with people with learning disabilities that explains why it is important to include people with learning disabilities and autism in research. This film has been made by Boingboing together with ambassadors, co-researchers, staff, students and volunteers from Arts Connect, The Resilience Revolution and the University of Brighton.
Blackpool Youth Climate Assembly Document
This document has been co-produced by the Blackpool Youth Climate Group and research partners from Boingboing and the CRSJ to explain how the group has been created and what they hope to achieve as Blackpool’s dedicated Youth Climate Group.
Presentation to BPS: Developing community resilience and social justice
Earlier this year a bunch of us from Boingboing, Resilience Revolution and CRSJ community presented a webinar for The British Psychological Society introducing the Boingboing approach to resilience and examples of how we put this into practice. You can find the presentation slides and webinar recording here.
Children and Young People’s Mental Health Inquiry – Submission of evidence
In this submission to The House of Lords a group of academics, students, practitioners, parents/carers and young people working as and with disadvantaged communities share their thoughts on whether progress has been made by Government in its ambition to improve children and young people’s mental health provision.
Resilience Revolution Annual Report 2019-2020
This annual report shares the fantastic work that is happening in Blackpool to make things better for all young people across the town. It documents all the things the Resilience Revolution community have been up to in the last year and the changes that are being made.
Our Academic Publications
This page presents an archive of selected published works from the Boingboing, Resilience Revolution and CRSJ community. This includes key academic papers, submissions of evidence and a few books relevant to the Boingboing approach to resilience.
Living online: The long term impact on wellbeing – Submission of evidence
In this submission to The House of Lords a bunch of us with different experiences shared our thoughts around how individuals and groups can better access online environments. We suggested the government may potentially help people access the digital world by improving digital inclusivity, accessibility, and data accountability.
Policy/practice impact enquiries and submissions of evidence
Find out more about some of our research in this selection of policy/practice impact enquiries and submissions of evidence focusing on the impacts of policies on young people around the world, people with disabilities, school children and people with experience of mental health issues.
The Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Young People – Submission of evidence
In this submission we outline and discuss the economic impact of Covid-19 on young people in Blackpool and provide recommendations for immediate and long-term interventions.
