An honest, sometimes uncomfortable speaking of truth
We need real resistance to the safety and politeness that often stifles genuine change—that was always Lankelly’s approach
A Lankelly Legacy Interview. Hosted by Generative Journalism Alliance
Emma, what was made possible through your work with Lankelly that wouldn’t have been made possible otherwise?
The original research project I was employed to do was funded by Lankelly Chase. After those first four years, the group I was working with became an independent, separate entity which is still going today. I’m no longer involved, but one of the original project participants is now a trustee of Lankelly Chase.
There’s been a long-running journey with them. It wasn’t just the funding—the money was necessary at the start—but also the relationship, the reflexiveness, the openness and the kindness that made the whole story possible. We’ve been through 12 years of many chapters, and every stage was essential.
How has your community changed? Have you seen any shifts that you would allude to in this particular work?
The community we built from that initial research project really took on a life of its own. It went through a full cycle. It wasn’t just a research project anymore. Now it’s diffused into different areas, but the core relationships and the work of those women who speak from lived experience still have a big impact.
I’d say one pivotal moment was a court case in 2000 involving myself and two original participants, who are now leading the remaining work. With support from a legal charity that Lankelly Chase also funded, we challenged an unlawful piece of legislation that was discriminating against and endangering sex workers. That case dismantled a legal framework that had sustained a misogynistic culture. Even in my work with the NHS in mental health services, I recognise changes that trace back to that moment—sometimes it’s tokenistic, sometimes it’s effective, but you can always hear the echoes of voices like Amanda’s who was a Trustee at Lankelly.
Thank you. What meaning was made for you through that experience?
It fundamentally changed me, especially during those intense early years. I learned so much from the women I was listening to. I had to give away all my ideas, all of my thinking, and even parts of my very sense of self.
I remember one particular moment. We were in a small group discussing early experiences of bullying and one woman, who has sadly since passed away, told me something I’d never heard before. She said, “From the outside, people think you’re doing alright, but you never learnt to stand up for yourself.” And she was absolutely right. That directness hit me hard. It made me realise that sometimes love means being willing to be fundamentally changed. That lesson, that encounter, still forms the core of what I understand love to be.
What, if anything, did you find constraining about working with Lankelly?
That’s a tough one. Lankelly Chase has always been about giving of themselves—willing to change direction and let go of their preconceptions for the sake of truth. The project started as a very academic research initiative. Because the manager who got things running left and wasn’t replaced, it created a tricky dynamic between the charity I worked for and Lankelly Chase. That clash meant the group eventually had to break away from the charity because it wasn’t supporting our aims.
There were moments when I felt out of place at some of the Lankelly gatherings, where traditional power dynamics still reared their head. Despite all that, I wouldn’t change their stance at all—it was part and parcel of what we achieved, even if it came with its own challenges.
How are you feeling about Lankelly Chase’s decision to wind down [its current structure]?
It’s a real tough one. I totally respect their decision, even though I wasn’t involved in making it. I have mixed feelings because I know how crucial those relationships and exchanges have been over the years—the kind of connections that funding made possible.
My fear is that the richness of those relationships might be lost. Of course, relationships aren’t just about money, but there’s a worry that some of the nurturing will disappear. Still, I trust that, like seeds scattered by the wind, these connections will sprout in new ways. Things will change, some elements will die off, but I believe something vibrant will grow back.
What would you like to see now from the wider philanthropic field?
I’ve been a bit removed from that world lately, but I think there needs to be a real resistance to the safety and politeness that often stifles genuine change. Organisations, even those meant to help the most disenfranchised, sometimes hide behind polite exchanges with funders instead of addressing the real issues.
I’d love to see more of that Lankelly approach—an honest, sometimes uncomfortable speaking of truth that challenges the status quo. Too often, there’s a kind of token editing of reality that maintains inequality. I want to see a future where those with lived experience are fully empowered to share their truth, without it being sugar-coated or muted.
What do you think is the best thing that could now happen for your work?
I stepped away from the project about a year and a half ago, when I felt I was no longer needed. Since then, the work has taken on a new life.
Ideally, I hope that all the years of relational, cultural and financial investment will allow the work to evolve in unexpected, minute and larger ways. I imagine a future where everyone who’s benefited from Lankelly Chase feels empowered to own their story and pass it on in their own unique way. It’s about decentralising power, so that many small, equal units can flourish. In the best possible vision, the diversity of these experiences will be celebrated, even if it can never be captured by one single narrative.
Thank you very much for speaking with me today, Emma. I’ve been truly enriched by our conversation.
Thank you for giving me the chance to share. It feels really nice to be part of this ending, even though I haven’t been in touch with Lankelly for a while. It’s been so formative for me, and I’m grateful to offer my perspective.
Hosted by Tchiyiwe Chihana. Edited by Sam Walby
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