What Who is Your Neighbour? does:
“Who is Your Neighbour? holds conversations in, around and in-between Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
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We provide spaces in which people can speak about their experiences of living where they do and listen to others do the same. We welcome subjects that people can feel ‘shut down’ for raising - like race, immigration, culture … the changes taking place where they live.
Our facilitators hold conversations where every voice is valued. They check that those present are okay with what is happening. We make it possible to speak openly and listen carefully. Curiosity about ourselves and others is encouraged.
“Why is nobody talking about this stuff?”
How Who is Your Neighbour?’s work is done:
Who is Your Neighbour? takes time building relationships with people before deciding whether it will be helpful to hold conversations in the place where they live. Sometimes, there is just one conversation. More often, there are several - because trusting relationships develop over time.
We hold the conversations according to three principles:
- Better Out Than In - we invite people to say what’s on their mind
- Most People Are Alright - we don’t judge, we assume nobody in the conversation intends harm and we ask participants to do the same
- Curiosity Is Good - our conversations are spaces for reflection, thoughtfulness and discovering new things, so we do not persuade or push forward an agenda
Every conversation is different but Who is Your Neighbour? team members always:
- listen
- pay attention
- ask questions
- let people finish
- encourage people to speak with one another (not us)
- keep checking in to ask if people are okay
- invite curiosity about what is not being heard
Sometimes, we use pictures, ice-breakers or an exercise to get things started.
“there's beauty in conversations, value in being open, bringing in your feelings, your inner self, what you value.”
We don’t:
- judge
- try to change minds
- shut down troubling topics
Contact us if you want to know more about our approach.
Where Who is your Neighbour? works:
Who is Your Neighbour?’s conversations are usually tailored to a small area - like a street, neighbourhood, community venue or place of work.
Our experience is rooted in South Yorkshire - and that strong local connection enables us to share expertise and build relationships with others who, like us, think conversations matter in the places where they live.
Local people invite us to hold conversations around Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. (We don’t share precise locations because our conversations are confidential.) We also support national partners encountering or holding troubling conversations.
Every town, village and street is different, so people who live there want to talk about different things. Our facilitators adapt their approach according to the place and people. Usually, the first step is to get to know a person or group that lives in a place, so we can listen carefully to what they have to say about an area.
Examples of places that we hold conversations are community centres, places of worship, schools or local businesses. Some open conversations are held outdoors, where people gather and meet each other.
Contact us if you’re interested in knowing more or being part of a conversation.
“We are welcoming. We don't mind people coming in, we get on - if it’s respected that our grandparents, our great-grandparents, built this village.”
People Who is Your Neighbour? works with:
Every Who is Your Neighbour? conversation is different - there is no ‘typical’ group.
We welcome all invitations. We especially want to work:
- in communities where most people are white
- in areas that are less well-off
- in places where there are obvious cultural differences and living alongside one another isn’t easy
Many of the people we meet share a feeling that their life experiences and opinions are not taken seriously. They may also want to hold their community together, despite finding it hard to get along.
A conversation is usually for 4 – 8 people, but it can be bigger.
Often, participants have something in common. They might know each other or be in regular contact because they are neighbours, attend a local group like a church, school or interest group - or something similar.
Some or all participants might share a feeling that their voices are not heard.
Some or all participants might face challenges – perhaps because of the changes taking place where they live, or unemployment, poverty, discrimination or something else.
Often, we are invited by someone who cares about the area where they live and is concerned about something that is happening there.
Conversations are usually facilitated by two members of our team.
“this is my experience of living in this place, what’s going on and how I feel.”
Who is Your Neighbour? Partners:
Our expertise is in holding conversations that can be troubling and that matter. We work with people and organisations that bring different skills to the table, so we can help one another and learn - teachers, faith leaders, community workers, charities and residents. We have worked with Chilypep, MESH, City of Sanctuary, Sheffield and the Archer Project.
We also have national partners - like the Local Government Association, Belong and the Jo Cox Foundation. Join our mailing list if you are interested in becoming a local, regional or national partner / friend.
“a bunch of men just wanted to sit down and have a blunt conversation”.
Why?
Who is Your Neighbour? thinks frank conversations matter - a lot.
Talking honestly is a thing people want to do - but it’s not always easy. The times we live in and the stresses we are under can lead to troubling conversations. If those make it harder for people to get along, communities can become less safe.
Through facilitating - not leading - talking and listening, we aim to help people build and sustain peaceful communities resilient to change during challenging times.
Read a bit more about us here.
“A year later, I’m still thinking about her and the effect that the conversation had.”