These blogs and timelines, hosted on the GM Systems Changers website, illustrate how our place-based work in Greater Manchester developed betweeen 2015-24.

They’re volunteered here as a detailed story of the work that’s taken place, from the perspectives of the colleagues involved.

Part 1 covers the period 2015-19. It highlights the founding principles and vision of the work; details some of the early partnerships and projects; and provides some commentary on the development of the group’s thinking about systems of oppression.

Part 2 covers 2020-21, including the impact of covid-19. It details the development of new, devolved governance processes for the work, which put  local changemakers in charge of grantmaking; and discusses how participatory funding models were used to support grassroots groups and build connections between them.

Part 3 covers 2022-24 and looks towards the potential for a self-governed future, beyond Lankelly Chase’s existence as a charitable foundation. It outlines some of the resources distributed by the local leadership group and the training and network-building work they undertook.