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Our Work

We train collectives to grow teams, build power and win change.

An illustration of two adults and two children using paint-rollers to paint a large mural of the Act Build Change logo on a wall.

We support people most affected by poverty, discrimination, and disadvantage to organise together for the change they need. The communities we work with span migrant justice, disability rights, housing, kinship care, racial justice and climate action – connected by being least heard by the systems shaping their lives. We help communities build the power to change those systems, not just be more visible within them.

Since 2019, we have grown from a small training site into a national organising school of 1,000+ members, working with over 50 groups – from grassroots collectives like Triangular CIO and We Belong to national institutions like Shelter and Trussell.

When we work together, we become active organisers in your community’s campaign, walking alongside you for as long as you need us. 

Our approach combines two key practices: community organising and collective care. We call this combination ‘transformative community organising’. Community organising moves communities from shared concern to the shared power necessary for change. Collective care – working through tension and difference, incorporating rest and recovery, reflection and celebration – sustains that work over the long arc of change. We’ve learned that training in these methods paired with one-to-ones, coaching, and shadowing is what moves groups from interest to long-term commitment. Read our Transformative Community Organising page for more detail.

How we support people to organise

Training

Training is how we learn and develop our skills as organisers. We deliver our trainings in two formats:

  • Workshops – regular live workshops, free for our members and low-cost for non-members, plus bespoke workshops for organisations.
  • Courses – self-guided courses on our website, with introductory content across our curriculum.

Our training curriculum is structured into three series:

  1. Introduction – we recommend all organisers start here, even if they are experienced, to ground themselves in our distinct blend of community organising and collective care.
  2. Foundations – the main skills and frameworks you need to become a transformative community organiser.
  3. In-Depth – dedicated trainings on topics touched on in earlier series, for organisers who want to deepen their understanding and practice.

For bespoke work, we combine trainings from across our curriculum to fit your needs and circumstances.

Find current and upcoming trainings on our Courses and Events pages.

One-to-ones

One-to-ones are the main tool in organising for building deep, committed relationships. Unlike transactional conversations, they’re about finding people to join you long-term in learning, growth and action. These are ‘public relationships’ – both close and professional – built on shared values and goals.

We hold regular one-to-ones to deepen your practice – meeting you where you are, not where others think you should be. We’ll work in your current reality, with all its challenges and opportunities, and support you to move closer to your goals. In these conversations, we listen for hope, leadership, and opportunities for action, to support your growth as an organiser.

One-to-ones might look like:

  • Initial meetings to connect with you, establish a relationship and identify shared goals and values.
  • Regular meetings to check in on a personal level, debrief actions taken by your team, and offer coaching support.

Coaching

Coaching is about unlocking potential. Rather than providing answers, it’s a structured partnership that supports you to reconnect with your values and agency, and create plans that are manageable, motivating and specific.

We provide a time-bound, confidential space to explore key questions or challenges. Our coaching is adaptive, and focuses on the practical elements of organising: leadership, relationships, strategy, and enabling others to contribute their time, energy and courage.

Coaching can support with:

  • Formulating strategies for your campaign.
  • Motivating your volunteer team.
  • Strengthening communication and relationships.
  • Working through why people aren’t showing up or committing.

Shadowing

Shadowing is real-time support during organising work – learning and developing in the moment, in meetings, actions, and negotiations where organising actually happens, including debriefs afterwards.

We join your team on the ground, observing you in action and offering coaching-style support tailored to what’s emerging. We pay attention to power dynamics, opportunities to strengthen relationships and strategy, and moments to develop collective leadership. Rather than directing, we help you notice patterns, recognise what’s working, and identify areas for growth.

Shadowing might look like:

  • Observing a campaign meeting or planning session and helping you get clear on your action.
  • Preparing with you for a negotiation, being present on the day, debriefing afterwards.

How to get involved

Membership

Individuals and organisations can join our membership to access training, peer learning, and networks – while contributing to our financial sustainability. Organisational members can share access with their teams, and membership is often part of deeper partnership support.

Check out our Membership page for more details.

Partnerships

Partnerships are our deep, working relationships with other organisations. These involve bespoke support built on trust developed over time through training, one-to-ones, coaching, and shadowing.

If that sounds like what you need, read Work With Us.

Case studies

The best way to understand our work is through the people we’ve worked with. These stories are some examples of what transformative community organising looks like in practice: