Changing Futures National Learning Event Conference - Humans of Changing Futures: A Storytelling Event

Lauren Payne, Project Delivery Officer for West Sussex reflects on the recent all areas Changing Futures Learning Event.

“The best arguments in the world won’t change a person’s mind.

The only thing that can do that is a good story.”

The latest Changing Futures All Area Event took place on the 5^th February, focusing on storytelling as a tool for systems change. A group of us from the Changing Futures Sussex Programme team welcomed the opportunity to travel up to Birmingham for the day and connect with partners and other Programme areas.

Storytelling was chosen by MEAM as the theme for the day after reflecting on the fact that so much of our work is focused on data, hard facts and evidence; however, the power of storytelling within systems change should not be dismissed. Systems change is built on beliefs, relationships and shared meaning and stories help to shape these foundations. Case studies, testimonies and observations can all drive emotion and desire for change, and all of these present a story in some form.

The day began with a presentation around the Final Evaluation of Changing Futures and the narratives that can be drawn from the research that has taken place across the past few years. The Programme has supported an impressive 7,000 individuals across all 15 areas, with 2 in 5 individuals reporting an improved quality of life after 12 months of support and average A&E attendances reducing by a third after 12 months of support.

Whilst hearing these figures, I reflected on how each one of these individuals came to the Programme with their own story and experiences that have shaped their life. I thought of the stories I’ve had the privilege of hearing through conversations with our clients in Sussex and how important trusting relationships are within this role – we should not assume someone wants to share with us these stories of their experiences, but when they do, we should treat it as a privilege, and we owe it to these individuals to share their story in a way that does it justice.

We were then introduced to a co-designed creative storytelling project – Fairytales Over The Edge. The piece is a result of work between Changing Futures in Greater Manchester, Badkamra and a number of artists who feature in the film – sharing their experiences of homelessness, addiction, poverty, contract with the criminal justice system, experiences of mental and physical health struggles and more. The film was incredibly though moving and perfectly demonstrated the power of storytelling when drawing emotion from others.

Before taking a break for lunch, it was then our turn to focus on our own storytelling skills and reflections around what makes for good storytelling. Attendees were broken out into four storytelling mediums: visual, oral, written and digital. I chose to focus on written storytelling and took the opportunity to write a letter to my former self around everything I have learnt, experienced and developed since beginning my role within the Changing Futures Programme back in June 2023.  

The afternoon session was led by Arts and Homelessness International and we were introduced to the concept of Legislative Theatre. Legislative theatre is a tool for social change where communities who are directly impacted by unjust or ineffective policies come together to build scenes based on their shared lived experiences. Advocates and policy makers come together to watch the play and identify problems as they arise to build a shared understanding. Audience members are invited on stage to improvise creative solutions to problems and test and refine ideas together. Finally, everyone drafts policy proposals following deliberation and debate. A vote takes place around the best solution and decision-makers present make commitment to immediate actions.

After learning about legislative theatre, it was then our turn to get involved. Several brave volunteers took to the stage to develop and perform their own piece around an identified problem – unrealistic timeframes and a lack of communication around expectations and outputs when asking for people with lived experience to contribute towards pieces of work. The first improvised solution was around ensuring communication opportunities between funders, managers, frontline workers and experts by experience. The second solution featured the idea of utilising community radio as an additional resource to help bridge gaps in resources. The session ended with a group vote for a solution – and voted for shared decision making with people with lived experience at every stage of the process!

The event ended with the opportunity for attendees to continue creating and exchanging stories and connecting with one another. I certainly left the event feeling much more inspired around how I can utilise storytelling within my work and honour the stories of the people that I hear every day.