Introduction
All community organising begins by inviting people to reflect on their own stories; the things which have shaped us and are important to us. As we share our stories, and listen to the stories of others, we find areas of common ground and shared desire for change.
In community organising, this lived experience- the personal knowledge that you gain about the world and events from being directly involved, rather than from other people’s descriptions of them, is recognised as having real value and power.
So, how does that work, in practice?
Imagine a gathering of leaders from diverse backgrounds, united by their first-hand experiences of immigration challenges. Citizens UK and Aston University brought these leaders together, from across England, for a two-day retreat to discuss the intricacies of the various routes to citizenship and brainstorm plans for a campaign for action.
This retreat is a testament to the power of lived experience in community organising. When we centre the voices and stories of those most impacted by an issue, we can spark meaningful change and build stronger, more cohesive teams.
In this blog post, we will explore how incorporating lived experience into community and church organising can:
- Amplify storytelling as a tool for action.
- Strengthen team dynamics.
- Refine strategies for lasting change.
Compelling Voices
The retreat at Aston University celebrated lived experience, a powerful force in community organising. These leaders with lived experience of immigration challenges brought a unique perspective. We listened to personal and authentic stories, neither rehash nor dramatized; they were private, personal and accurate. They have walked the path, felt the pain, and persevered. The retreat at Aston University celebrated lived experience, a powerful force in community organising. These leaders with lived experience of immigration challenges brought a unique perspective.
We listened to personal and authentic stories, neither rehash nor dramatized; they were private, personal and accurate. They have walked the path, felt the pain, and persevered.
When these leaders share their experiences, they don’t just speak from statistics or theory. They spoke from memory, emotion, and lived truth. They know the hurdles of cultural assimilation, the complexity of navigating legal systems, and the personal toll of leaving one’s homeland.
Their insights go beyond policy and legislation, touching on the human aspect of immigration. They offer a powerful lens to see the issue through their eyes, to feel their pain, and to understand their hopes and dreams.
Leaders with lived experience are invaluable in community organising because they are not just advocates for a cause; they embody it. They are the living, breathing embodiment of the challenges and triumphs of the immigrant experience.
Their stories and insights are powerful tools for addressing and solving the genuine challenges immigrants and citizens face. The retreat was not just about sharing experiences; it was about harnessing these experiences as a force for change.
Stories that Inspire
On the first day of the retreat, leaders with lived experience of immigration shared their stories in one-to-one meetings and group sessions. These moments were a powerful testament to the power of personal narratives to inspire and mobilize others.
These stories were not simply recounts of facts and dates; they were emotionally charged narratives that brought to life the complex and often abstract concepts of immigration and citizenship. The speakers shared their struggles and triumphs, their hopes and fears, in a way that resonated deeply with the audience.
I’ll share two stories that came out of the shared stories; I anonymized them to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. Any names, places, or identifying details have been changed:
I came to the UK when I was five years old. I have had my primary, secondary, A level education here. I’m twenty-one and studying for my first degree at a UK university. Now that I can apply for Citizenship, the current criteria says that I must take a mandatory ‘life in the UK test’ and ‘English language test’, which I must pass before I’m eligible to apply. And, both tests will cost me £200, on top of the mandatory Naturalisation fee of £1580. I feel like the current system will put many like me in debt!
– Mike
I applied to renew my thirty-month ‘leave to remain’ visa in December 2020, but it took 13 months for a decision to be made. This was after I had to write numerous emails and solicit the help of my local councillor and MP for help. In that time of uncertainty, I had to deal with anxiety and stress, my landlord threatening to evict me because of the Home Office delay, student loans not wanting to approve my payments for uni, and my employer’s also wanting to let me go for fear of being fined £10,000 for having an employee with an expired visa. It was an unfair and unjust treatment.
– Aisha
These and other stories were more than just compelling tales; they were vivid illustrations of resilience and hope. They served as a powerful bridge, connecting the audience with the realities of immigration and citizenship issues on a much deeper level.
The speakers’ authenticity and emotional depth were pivotal. They spoke from the heart, sharing their personal journeys in a way that was both relatable and inspiring. Their stories were not just about them; they were about the shared human experience.
These leaders effectively mobilized others through their narratives, transforming their experiences into a potent call to action for community change. They showed that leaders with lived experience possess an unmatched ability to turn empathy into action.
Teaming Up for Change
The retreat’s one-to-one meetings and storytelling sessions were more than just opportunities to share stories and build connections; they were also the foundation for building a strong, cohesive team.
- Individuals who have undergone similar struggles and triumphs develop a unique bond that transcends professional collaboration. They share an inherent understanding and empathy that facilitates open communication and mutual support.
- Leaders with similar backgrounds often find it easier to trust and rely on each other, knowing they have faced similar challenges and shown remarkable resilience. This shared understanding is essential for building a high-performing team.
- Team members who have lived through similar circumstances can pool their knowledge and insights, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the issues. This collective wisdom is invaluable in strategizing and decision-making, ensuring that plans and actions are rooted in real-world experiences.
In the retreat’s context, the newly formed leadership team is more equipped to address the complexities of immigration and citizenship issues. Their strategies developed were informed by a rich tapestry of personal experiences and perspectives, giving them a unique edge in their quest for change.
What can faith organisers learn from this?
Leaders with lived experience bring not just a different perspective, but a different way of working; they are Strategists with a Soul.
They bring a unique blend of real-world insights and lived wisdom that enriches the strategic organising and action planning processes.
The retreat’s one-to-one meetings and storytelling sessions were more than just opportunities to share stories and build connections; they were also the foundation for building a strong, cohesive team.
The Methodist Church, through the ‘Justice-seeking Church’ and ‘God For All’ reports already names the importance of working with and alongside people with lived experience of the context and challenges which we seek to address.1 We also recognise that for many, this will entail a significant culture shift from our current practices of doing to or speaking on behalf of, others.
Yet, as the example above has shown, prioritising the voices of people with lived experience grounded in the realities of dealing with common and uncommon challenges gives us a deeper and more nuanced understanding of complex social issues. Actions developed as a result of this shared listening are more likely to be well informed and innovative, but also, achievable, and sensitive to the needs of the communities in which we serve.
As we move forward, with and beyond the Faith Rooted Community Organising pilot, we must recognize and support leaders with lived experience in our churches and communities. Their involvement and contribution will lead to a more impactful and meaningful change deeply rooted in the realities and needs of those they represent. By valuing and integrating their insights, we enrich our efforts and empower those who have directly faced and overcome significant challenges, turning their experiences into a driving force for positive change.
Through your one-to-one meetings, please look at your churches, projects, and communities for people with personal journeys. Identify the ones with common issues and interests. Bring them together and nurture great teams to spearhead the change you collectively desire.
You can read more about our campaign here:
Migrant Communities: A Pathway to Citizenship
Read about Methodist social justice and Evangelism & Growth Team’s work here:
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