Community-Centred Engagement: Building Movements from the Ground Up
Growth Activities are delivering the lastest four-part Training & Tea series, designed for community and voluntary organisations who want to deepen their approach to engagement. Rooted in a decade of real-life community work, this training explores how listening, co-production, collective action, and wellbeing can transform relationships, systems, and outcomes.
We’ll take you through our journey — from discovering the challenges faced in our community, through rage and resistance, to communication, peacebuilding, and ultimately creating ripples of change.
Who are Growth Activities?
We are a Community Interest Company working to improve health and wellbeing through connection—to self, to others, and to the natural world.
We brought our work to our hometown of Staveley, Chesterfield, over a decade ago, where our deep community ties first took shape. Over the years, we’ve grown alongside the people we serve, learning from the challenges faced by our communities and developing inclusive, creative approaches that help people build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
We support and create communities for individuals who are isolated, marginalised, or navigating life challenges through nature-based wellbeing activities, peer support, and one-to-one guidance. Our spaces are designed to help people feel seen, heard, and valued.
One of our flagship initiatives, Flourishing Females, empowers women through forest bathing, environmental crafts, mindful walks, and bushcraft. These activities develop tools to support mental health, reduce stress, and foster deep social connection.
As part of the Neighbourhood Alliance, we advocate for community voices—especially those with lived experience—to be heard in decision-making spaces around health and wellbeing. We are proud to be part of a wider collaborative effort to reduce health inequalities across Chesterfield’s most deprived wards. By focusing on prevention, connection, and empowerment, we help individuals and communities to thrive.
Session 1: Deep Listening
November 18th
9:30am – 10.15am
Building Trust and Understanding from the Ground Up
Explore how deep listening creates the foundation for meaningful engagement. This session shares how empathy, participatory approaches and being non-judgemental helped uncover hidden barriers and built lasting relationships in our community.
Book Your Place Here https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6hplaHU2TlaePHXp8dlIPg
Session 2: Co-Production and Partnership
November 25th
9:30am – 10.15am
Working Together Without Hierarchies
Learn how to co-create with communities by shifting power dynamics, embracing non-linear processes, and building honest, responsive partnerships. This session highlights how flexible, community-led structures can replace traditional models and foster real collaboration.
Book Your Place Here https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0yTdQLFRRf6lA9dJbAVerA
Session 3: The Movement – Taking Action Together
2nd December
9:30am – 10.15am
From Insight to Impact
Discover how collective action grows from deep listening and trusted partnerships. This session focuses on adapting to community needs, elevating voices, and creating space for grassroots leadership — even when it means challenging original plans.
Book Your Place Here https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/aKtCkyklS6m2gL9FcW9OGw
Session 4: Wellbeing in Community Work
16th December
9.30am – 10.15am
Caring for Ourselves While Caring for Others
Explore the personal impact of community work and how to sustain yourself and your team. This session shares lessons from burnout, stress, and transformation — showing how wellbeing practices can strengthen and influence our relationships and long-term outcomes.
Book Your Place Here https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YaLJ2O9sSNO-06E3b5PLgQ
