The Multiplier 2023 – reasons for hope

It’s people that make change happen. In communities up and down the country, there are determined, resourceful and creative individuals that are building social connection in their places. While often facing a lack of time, capacity and funding - it is these local people that continue to make a difference in the most creative and meaningful ways.

At The Cares Family we have always believed that local people have brilliant and simple ways to create connection in the places they know best. The leaders in those places just need the support to make those solutions work. Since 2021 The Multiplier has brought together change-makers from across the UK to help grow their confidence, capacity and capabilities to build more socially connected communities.

Over the past month we have been recruiting our 2023 Multipliers. During this process we have been incredibly fortunate to meet inspirational people making change in their communities that can give us all reasons for hope.

We heard about the work people are doing to give asylum seekers space, connection and voice as they are increasingly pushed to the margins of society.

We listened to the concerns that young people are increasingly feeling alienated from the decisions that impact them and how local leaders in communities are providing them with a safe space to connect with each other and explore their futures together.

We learnt about community-led projects that centre and lift the voices of marginalised people by exploring their stories, heritage and family histories. In doing this they challenge dominant social histories, celebrate their stories and build pride in their community.

These are just snapshots of what’s happening across every corner of the country. Throughout all our conversations, the ability to find community-centred solutions to real world problems was very apparent.

The cost-of-living crisis and broader economic pressures have created an extremely difficult environment for communities to flourish. Many of the local leaders we spoke to said that this left them feeling isolated and that a key motivation for applying to The Multiplier was to connect with other individuals working in similar situations.

Another consistent theme was breathing space (or lack of). The role of community organisations in leading the grassroots response to the pandemic has been widely recognised. However, increasing demand means that many local change-makers feel like they haven’t had the chance to learn lessons from the pandemic and reset their organisational strategy for a post-covid world.

The Multiplier will help provide that space and community of peers. Over the course of the next nine months, our Multipliers will:

• Participate in monthly Gatherings to grow their confidence and knowledge in key areas such as community building, storytelling and navigating systems
• Receive one-to-one coaching

• Build a peer-support community with other changemakers during the programme. At the end of the year they will join the vibrant Alumni network of past Multipliers
• Receive a £4,000 unrestricted grant.

What shone through in every conversation we had with this years’ applicants was their power and potential. This cuts to the core of The Multiplier. There is a wealth of community power and talent out there that isn’t being nurtured. With the right support, we know from experience that local people will go on to realise transformative change in their communities.

Nine months from now, inspirational change-makers will have gained the tools to adapt and grow their initiatives, increase their networks and will be inspired to think bigger. We can all agree that’s a reason for hope.