What happens when a moment becomes a movement?
When the image of someone merely choosing the most human thing to do becomes crystallised in time, spreads across the world and becomes a powerful symbol for change?
The result is a host of conversations on a variety of scales and platforms across the world to seek out the answer to the same question answered in multiple ways — What can we do? How can we help? How do we drive change in a way that is sustainable? … The people at the receiving end of these questions are the brilliant team behind UTCAI — United to Change and Inspire: Richard Pascoe, Troy Davis, Patrick Hutchinson, Louise O’ Hara, Chris Otokito, Lee Russell, Jamaine Facey and Keisha Hercules. In conversation with Duro Oye of 20/20 Change, they spoke at Home Grown Club as part of the Lunch and Learn Series focusing this time on the central question ‘What do you see as the biggest challenge to true equality?’.
Did you think that action you took would lead to what transpired?
UTCAI’s work spans four dimensions which they call their ‘pillars’: Mental Health and Well Being, Education, Criminal Justice and Youth Development. Each member of the team is responsible for one of these pillars leading projects with both the passion and expertise that are aligned with them. As a collective, they seek to “ make a change, be the connection between those at the bottom rung and the powers that be to make their voices heard “.
“We want to address issues that are clearly evident, so we can bridge that gap; to be around the table to encourage a better dialogue…”
What is the biggest barrier to true equality?
How can organisations like 20/20 Change and Home Grown Club help?
UTCAI is a young organisation with a lot of skillsets and specific plans to bridge the gap and address issues that are evident in society. We are looking for professionals who are passionate about making change and the ‘unusual’ the norm. Since Home Grown Club is the mainstay of people who do business as unusual we are looking forward to continuing the conversation with many of your members. We would love to hear from:
- People who would be open to offer mentoring to the young people UTCAI work with
- People who have experience in the application process to receive various streams of funding available to community interest companies
- Digital developers and creators who could provide input for a new UTCAI application
- Passionate pioneers who want to support UTCAI through philanthropy
- People who would like to simply champion and support active and upcoming UTCAI projects by sharing information within their network.
These include alternative education programmes as a means to break the cycle behind young offending; anti-bystander training for both adults and young people, as well as the establishment of the UTCAI Academy and more.
For more information contact UTCAI — info@UTCAI.co.uk
Instagram: @ unitedtochangeandinspire
Originally published at https://homegrownclub.co.uk.
