An Introduction to
Systemic Constellations

(Tue 12 June, Ebor Court, Westgate LS1, 9.30am – 4.30pm)

How do cities behave as organisms?
Why do cities show such resilience (that they rarely die)?
If I could see more of the whole, as well as my small piece, would it make a difference to what I do?
And what would Leeds say if it could speak?

Leeds is made up of many layers: its people both past and present, its history and geography, its systems, and structures. The city is alive with relationships, stories, ideas, questions, images, conversations and invitations to action.

This workshop is an introduction to ‘systemic constellations‘. This is a powerful tool to tap into a group’s collective wisdom, to reveal unconscious or hidden dynamics, and to offer new perspectives to deal with challenges. It’s a way of creating a living map, bringing the voice of a place or a whole system with all its parts together – so that we can see and understand more about how the parts interact to create a whole system. It will help us understand the systemic dynamics of the city at work through us as individuals, and as groups of people. What invisible dynamics are at play? How can we look systemically, and not just at our piece of the whole?

This interactive workshop will offer you: experience of ‘systemic constellations‘; collective reflection on how to apply its basic principles to your day-to-day work; teaching on looking through a systemic lens; and deeper insights into the systemic nature of individual and organisational issues. Bring your questions, ideas, and topics – but most of all, bring your curiosity and your self to this shared learning space.

Fees: people from large organisations £90, those from small organisations £60, and individuals/unwaged £40. But we don’t want cost to be a barrier to your participation, so please talk to us if you feel you would like to come but aren’t able to find the fee: linda@lindajoymitchell.org.uk. Other than that, all queries and bookings should please be directed to Valerie, on 0113 2681656 or vmenelec@yahoo.co.uk. Hosted by T4P + friends.

]]> http://www.t4p.org.uk/events/an-introduction-to-systemic-constellations-12-june/feed/ 0 http://www.t4p.org.uk/events/planet-leeds-2012/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=planet-leeds-2012 http://www.t4p.org.uk/events/planet-leeds-2012/#comments Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:21:22 +0000 jill http://www.t4p.org.uk/?p=1117

Planet Leeds
street festival 2012

(Briggate + the city centre, Sat 16th June)

Planet Leeds is a free annual street festival, featuring performers from all the different cultures and communities of the city. Leeds is the most culturally diverse UK city outside of London – and we think that’s summat to celebrate!

Now in its sixth year, the festival features diverse performance including music, dance, poetry and drama. Previous festivals have included: Iranian guitarists, Chapeltown rappers, Congolese drummers, Irish dance, eastern European ‘Klezmer’ beats, and much more. And this year’s shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. (Watch this space for full info.)

Join us for a colourful, lively and interactive day event – bringing life into the heart of the city. Full info (including details on auditions and performing at the festival) at www.planetleeds.org.uk.

Active Citizens latest news
from Kenya to Chapeltown

Following the success of last year’s Active Citizens programme (click here for further info), we’re pleased to be co-delivering this year’s again in Leeds.

20+ new participants have been through a training course with partners Oblong, and are now in the midst of planning local community projects. These include a project to bring isolated families and older people together, to create new friendships and improve social networks.

And 3 of those participants – Melonie, Daniel and Simeon – are just back from a week in Kenya, connecting with and learning from community project workers there. Melonie said of the experience:

‘’This experience has taught me so much, and made me appreciate the simple things in life. A quote I heard a lot in Africa which will remain with me and which I’ll pass on is: ‘Don’t give a man who’s hungry a fish to eat, but rather give him the tools to fish’. That is: sustainability looks beyond the moment, and prepares for the generations to come. I’ve been so blessed by this amazing opportunity.’’

Finally, two of last year’s participants – Richard & Azy – are now delivering  ’Chapeltown Active Citizens Safer Community’ project for 17-25yr olds in partnership with ourselves and with support from key players in the local area including the Neighbourhood Police team and Area Management. The aim is to develop community understanding between the young adults, encourage and equip them to become involved in practical community work. The full programme will also provide the selected group with opportunities to develop their communication, leadership skills and the opportunity to learn to drive.

Planet Leeds
relaunches for 2012

(Sat 16 June, Leeds city centre)

We’re pleased to announce that our popular annual Planet Leeds street festival will be once again bringing the city centre alive, on Saturday 16 June. (And hopefully Sunday 17 March too, depending on funding.)

Check out our spangly new website (www.planetleeds.org.uk), get in touch to get involved (eg performing, or joining our volunteer project team), and see you then!

Peace Poetry
competition 2012

Thanks to all those entered this year’s Leeds Peace Poetry competition 2012 – themed ‘Truce’ and linked with the Olympics. (The original, ancient aim of the Olympics was to bring at least temporary peace between warring nations). Click here for full info, on the downloadable competition flyer.

All submissions are now in, and are being carefully read and weighed by the judging panel, chaired by poet Rommi Smith. The entries will be shortlisted (in 3 categories: primary school, secondary school, and adults), then we’ll be presenting awards to the winners at an event in June.

For full background on the competition, click here.

T4P annual report
available now

Our short, snappy and very readable annual report for 2011 is out! Click here to download it now. Happy reading – and please be in touch if you’ve any questions, queries, comments, or owt…

The Art of Hosting
Transformative Conversations

(Thu 28 June – Sat 30 June, venue TBA)

From strategic conversations… to wise action… to systemic transformation.

Meaningful conversation is needed for the life of a community at the best of times, and right now we need transformative practices and conversation spaces more than ever. The world is rapidly changing and we feel the complexity of this in the UK, throughout Europe and the World.  We are experiencing this in our daily lives, in our communities, in our work – and especially in our larger systems such as our food and finance systems, that are now so inter-connected yet have such massive local impact.

It is also a time of enormous potential for social innovation, with much experience and learning to share. Come and join us for 3 days of training, learning, practice and connection to continue to build our depth and ability to support change in our world.

What are the conversations that will transform problems into potential – that I particularly want to initiate and host?

What conversations will accelerate and amplify transformation?

What do I need to learn about myself to create the change I wish to see in the world around me?

Full info due soon: please contact T4P associate Linda Joy-Mitchell for further info.

In One City 2011:
watch it now

We and our project partners Lippy People present the fourth ‘In One City’ film – exploring the beliefs, values and lives of diverse Leeds people. Click here to watch now online, or ask us for a copy of the DVD.

Our ‘In One City’ programme has (since 2007) used collaborative film-making to get a wide range of Leeds people to connect, and together explore topical social issues - especially how we can make our increasingly diverse society work well for everyone.

Over the past few months, we’ve worked with 13 fantastic participants (aged 16 to 80+, from across a whole spectrum of society) to each produce their own 3 minute film, exploring how values and beliefs shape social conscience, identity and experience within our communities. The film is themed around Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ quote, that ‘society is a conversation for many voices’.

We aim for this free film resource to be used in different scenarios – faith, youth and community groups, and schools, for instance - to generate wider discussion about the issues raised in the films, and about what kind of city we want. To find out more, please get in touch: hello@t4p.org.uk.