The Resilience Revolution is a social movement aimed at modelling and promoting resilience research and practice that challenges social inequalities. It is rooted in the Boingboing social justice definition of resilience; as beating the odds whilst also changing the odds.
This means we take what is called a ‘systems view’, looking beyond what can be done to help individuals (which is still an important thing to do), and identifying ways in which the environment people live in, can better support them, and / or reduce difficulties in the first place. We believe this is important because systems that work better for those needing extra support, often work better for everyone. It is also important because there is lots of evidence that shows how mental health is negatively impacted by experiences of inequality and discrimination and if we can reduce inequality and discrimination, life isn’t as tough in the first place.
Based on the resilience focused research and practice conducted through Boingboing and the Centre of Resilience for Social Justice (CRSJ), The Resilience Revolution was successfully piloted in Blackpool. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund HeadStart Programme, the Resilience Revolution delivered an extensive programme of lasting change alongside young people, parents, and carers across the town. Together with the Council and Community of Blackpool we worked as part of an alliance to develop and embed a ‘whole-town approach’ to resilience, based on Resilient Therapy principles (which we have now come to call the “Boingboing approach to resilience”) and a shared language of resilience. Co-production with young people, parents and practitioners informs everything that happens there. Together, we are developing resilient practice and systems changes that are showing real impact on children and young people’s lives. Although the Blackpool pilot is now complete, the Resilience Revolution lives on through our network an ongoing collaborative activities.
Find out more about what’s going on in Blackpool:
Resilience Revolution’s Final Research Report 2016-2022
This report presents the research and evaluation of the Resilience Revolution programme (2016-2022).
The Resilience Revolution is an innovative whole town approach to building resilience, made possible by funding from The National Lottery Fund’s HeadStart programme. Funding was available between 2016 and 2022, across 6 areas nationally in the UK with the purpose of testing and learning new ways to support young people’s mental health (ages 10-16).
In Blackpool, the programme took the bold step of developing a vision for the whole town; giving everyone who lived, worked or volunteered in the town the opportunity to get involved. The Resilience Revolution embraced co-production as a way to design and test innovative projects. Coproduction meant a range of people, with different expertise, working together, as equals towards shared goals.
Watch our workshops: how to do community co-research on health equity
Created as part of the ongoing Community Solutions for Health Equity project that Boingboing Foundation are proudly part of, we are pleased to share recordings of a series of workshops held recently in Blackpool. These workshops are free resources to be taken advantage of by any community members or organisations looking for a beginner’s guide to developing the research skills and knowledge needed to explore health inequalities in coastal areas.
A guide to becoming more eco-friendly in Blackpool and the Fylde Coast
Hi, I’m Maya, and I wanted to say a big thank you to you for reading. These guides were created to help people in Blackpool and the Fylde Coast become more environmentally friendly, without feeling too overwhelmed by climate issues. They were produced as part of the Boingboing Activist in Residence project, which gave me the opportunity to work as an Eco-activist in Residence at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. I decided that I wanted to use this role to make two guides: one for local residents, and another for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals’ Green Champions.
The Research Ready Communities pilot continued
For the past year and a half Boingboing has been working on a Research Ready Communities pilot project in Blackpool alongside the National Institute for Health Research as part of their Under-served Communities programme. Typically, much of the funding for health research in the UK goes to universities in London, Oxford and Cambridge, but health research is needed the most in places like Blackpool, where the harmful impacts of health inequalities are worst felt.
An introduction to the Research Ready Communities pilot
For the past year and a half Boingboing has been working on a Research Ready Communities pilot project in Blackpool alongside the National Institute for Health Research as part of their Under-served Communities programme. Typically, much of the funding for health research in the UK goes to universities in London, Oxford and Cambridge, but health research is needed the most in places like Blackpool, where the harmful impacts of health inequalities are worst felt.
Loops – a review
On 22nd February Grace and Lauren, members of the Activist Alliance, attended the show Loops at the Blackpool Grand Theatre. It was a play made in collaboration with Liverpool Everyman + Playhouse, 20 Stories High theatre company and, “a brilliant group of activists and artists who all shared important stories of what their experiences were, with courage, honesty and jokes”.
Could you be our next Activist in Residence?
Seeking two Environmental Activists in Residence for the Lancashire Youth Climate Conference. Anyone can be an activist! Apply by 29th March.
Community Report – Climate Change and Mental Health
A full summary of findings from the research project ‘Climate change and mental health; A co-produced study with young people in Blackpool’.
Adam’s Story
Hear Adam’s story about his experience working co-productively with HeadStart Blackpool and the Resilience Revolution.
Making Our International Resilience Revolution Conference Accessible
Hi, this is Lisa and Mirika and recently we’ve been focused on improving accessibility for the International Resilience Revolution Conference which took place at the end of March. It was a hybrid event, with one day in Blackpool in person (but also live streamed...
The value of the friendship model of volunteering
An intergalactic exploration of all the different types of value created through the friendship model of volunteering, as championed by the Resilience Revolution in Blackpool.
Independent Visitor Service – The end of the road, or a new beginning?
An Independent Visitor will always work well for some, but we think we can do more, something brave and innovative. Blackpool’s Resilience Revolution has been piloting a unique new project.
Reflections on attending the Society for Research on Adolescence (SRA) Biennial Conference 2022
This blog is co-authored by Katy Daniels (24) and Hannah Eaglestone (19) who both fill dual roles within the Resilience Revolution. Katy is our Digital Marketing Apprentice for the Research Team and Hannah works in the Youth Engagement Team as a Sessional Peer Youth...
Our work with Amnesty International
Boingboing and the CRSJ partnered up with Amnesty International to deliver some training to Amnesty’s young campaigners as part of their ‘Rise Up’ training programme.
The Very Personification of Resilience, Mr Daniels
Let’s cut to the chase! Absolute respect to the bravery and resilience of our very own Blackpool FC’s Jake Daniels. The 17-year-old has become the first openly gay male professional footballer in the UK, receiving widespread support in his decision to be open about...
Noble Truths at the International Resilience Revolution Conference
Following the International Resilience Resolution Conference, there is so much to think about. Gabrielle talks us through what she usually does when she doesn’t know where to start: using the Noble Truths.
An A-Z of the International Resilience Revolution Conference
On the 30th and 31st March 2022, Blackpool was well and truly on the map. From Australia to Zimbabwe, everyone was welcomed. An amazing A to Z of fellow Resilience Revolutionaries joined the party.
International Resilience Revolution Conference: Drawing on resilience
In this blog John Howard, Parent/Carer Engagement Worker with the Resilience Revolution reports back from the International Resilience Revolution Conference in Blackpool. John introduces us to Harry Venning, an award-winning cartoonist, illustrator and comedy writer, a guest of the conference.
International Resilience Revolution Conference: Reflections from our Engagement Workers
With the International Resilience Resolution Conference now behind us, Boingboing Engagement Workers Grace, John, Lindsay, Charlotte, Lauren, Shannon discuss their favourite moments of the event that was held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
International Resilience Revolution Conference Highlights from the Boingboing and CRSJ team
We thought we’d share conference highlights from some of the Boingboing team to capture what the conference felt like after all the hard work, so here’s some snippets of what people said.
Blackpool Climate Co-research report
This report has been co-produced by the Blackpool Youth Climate Group and research partners from Boingboing and the CRSJ to share their findings about what young people and adults in Blackpool think and feel about climate change.
