With systems – Grapevine

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We help people embrace their power and agency. Because when they do problems get solved, lives become better and futures become more shapeable. But we don’t stop there.

We want to get at the root causes of the most difficult problems – not just treat the symptoms. So we work intensively with systems and services like the NHS and local authorities to understand issues together, shift power and solve the real problem – for good.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more on shifting power.

Reform the Norm

Lockdown brought to light inequalities that have existed in society for a long time – issues around benefit payments, isolation, food poverty, access to mental health support and other services, freedom of movement and much more.

This awareness, spurred on by community willingness to act during this time, led four Coventry organisations (Grapevine, Central England Law Centre, Positive Youth Foundation and Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre) to create ‘Reform the Norm’ to look at how we don’t just return to the way things were, but think about how we ‘reform the norm’ and make things more equal.

Working together to amplify under-represented voices, this programme has different opportunities and events throughout the year. The first of these is called ‘The Story of Us’.

Healthy Communities Together

An ambitious programme to tackle deep-rooted health inequalities in Coventry in partnership with Coventry and Warwickshire Primary Care Trust, Coventry City Council and Coventry and Warwickshire Health and Care Partnership.

One of just six national partnerships, co-funded by The King’s Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund, the programme aims to improve links between health and care services and the communities they serve – and ultimately, their health and wellbeing.

A group of women with children put a large foam mat jigsaw together on grass — “Deeper relationships aren’t just nice to have. They’re the making of all that our governments and communities want to see change. Grapevine are the relationship experts.” (Matthew McStravick, Deepr Design)

Sparking green health in Foleshill

One of two 2021 neighbourhood approach-style projects funded by Public Health in Coventry, sparking green health in Foleshill encourages local residents to voice their opinions on themes of clean air, beauty on our doorsteps and the importance of nurturing our green spaces.

Sparked by a rediscovery of nature and the great outdoors during the pandemic, the project shifts power into the hands of the people to improve health across the city and Foleshill in particular.

Call or email Jess to get involved: jpinson@grapevinecovandwarks.org 07989 395446.

Neighbours tend to a community garden — Credit: Neonbrand on Unsplash

Severe and enduring mental illness in Coventry and Warwickshire

Commissioned by North Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group, we will help uncover reasons why many people with severe and enduring mental illness (SMI) living in Coventry and Warwickshire are not taking up the offer of an annual physicial health check.

We’ll speak to as many people as possible to begin uncovering barriers and co-creating ways to overcome them alongside people using SMI services as well as health professionals.

Coventry Youth Activists

A campaign group changing young people’s lives in Coventry. CYA members decide on the issues that matter to them and set about making things better for themselves and others.

Lily performs a speaking song — “I’m surrounded by people free of judgement and full of kindness… to reassure me… and encourage me to share my ideas and show me they have worth and value and are genuinely heard.” (Joey, member of CYA)

Get behind CYA

Follow and support CYA’s campaigns on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Place Based Social Action in Stoke Aldermoor

One of twenty national partnerships funded by DCMS and The National Lottery Community Fund. It’s about people-led solutions that help young people and families thrive in a hard-hit Coventry community. It’s about changing the way public services and communities work together.

Women gather to plan community action — “One person can make minimal changes on their own, but a group of people can add more weight to the actions needed – to give those actions more power.” (Kath, Stoke Aldermoor Social Action Partnership member) Photo by Stuart Stabler.

Live locally?

Anyone living in Stoke Aldermoor can bring their passions and ideas to the partnership. Contact Kyla at Grapevine kcraig@grapevinecovandwarks.org to join in.

Ignite

One of three national ‘system change’ programmes – helping Coventry help families earlier, in partnership with Central England Law Centre.

Warwickshire’s empowerment and co-production service

This service supports people with a disability, learning disability or autism to have a say in how they live their lives and also the services they access – spreading influence and opportunity across the county.

Warwickshire Empowerment Service planning — “I always come away from Grapevine with a hopeful heart.” (Meena Bharadwa, Locality)

Walks and Talks

Walks and Talks are a story-telling technique that involves having a conversation while walking somewhere. But in our case we share stories, watch performances, listen to ideas, feel inspired and spark change. It’s a chance to bring services, systems and communities together to get at the root of a problem.

#socialactionhubcovandwarks launched at a Walk and Talk as we became a recognised hub of best practice for Community Organisers.

Walk and Talk in action — “An extraordinary example of a community taking responsibility for its own support networks and mutual help is right here in Coventry.” (Gill Phillips)

Join in

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep updated.

Ideas Factories and Collaboration Stations

Ideas Factories and Collaboration Stations are two activities through which we co-create innovative actions and solutions, building the capacity for change from all sectors and communities.