Here is the practical side of our work — the exercises, methods, and frameworks that help us listen better, design thoughtfully, and work more effectively. From listening practices to co-design techniques, these posts highlight the tools that support meaningful collaboration and reflection in community settings.
How Might We (HMW) Statements
A solution-oriented framework used to reframe problems as actionable challenges. Instead of simply stating a problem (e.g., "People have poor mental well-being"), an HMW statement transforms it into a...
By Matt Bell
Community Researchers / Conversations
A grassroots approach to gathering authentic stories of lived experiences by training community members to be "good listeners". These researchers are trained to have conversations (not interviews) wit...
By Matt Bell
Kumu
A digital tool used for visualizing and mapping complex relationships, specifically employed to represent the "Map of Belonging" by connecting factors extracted from community conversations. It allows...
By Matt Bell
Gratitude practices
A simple yet powerful technique to counter negative assumptions and untended "wounds" that can "spoil" relationships and perspectives. Consistently practicing gratitude is suggested as a solution to e...
By Matt Bell
Collaboration cards
Over the course of our 3 years we developed a set of Collaboration Cards to go alongside the Collaboration Handbook. These are available on request (for a small fee for the printed cards) or can be ac...
By Matt Bell
Round Robin Exercise
A co-design activity aimed at sparking imagination and developing ideas together, particularly from people who might be less inclined to speak out spontaneously. It ensures that everyone has an opport...
By Matt Bell
Map of Belonging
A visual representation of interconnected themes and factors influencing community connection and place-based well-being, derived from numerous community conversations. These factors are defined as pa...
By Matt Bell
People's Assemblies
Designed as unifying bodies to bring diverse community voices together, enabling everyone to feel heard, exercise democratic muscles, and feel more powerful. They are based on radical inclusivity, act...
By Matt Bell
Conversation Processing Workshops
Collaborative sessions designed to convert raw conversation fragments into measurable "factors" related to social isolation and loneliness, which are then mapped onto the "Map of Belonging". Participa...
By Matt Bell
Policies and procedures
Essential elements that provide clarity and certainty within an emergent and uncertain working environment. The sources suggest that how things are done – such as submitting and signing off proposals,...
By Matt Bell
Theatrical Performances
A creative outreach method used to engage communities, particularly in low-trust environments where traditional methods like leaflets fall flat. Performance pieces (e.g., an "escape room" themed aroun...
By Matt Bell
Insight Clustering / Sense-Making
The process of moving from individual story fragments to collective understanding by organizing insights into broader thematic headings. After gathering rich individual insights, groups collectively d...
By Matt Bell