Reflections on Anthropy:: Rebooting Britain by Belonging
This March, we joined Anthropy at the Eden Project in Cornwall. A gathering of over 2,000 people, Anthropy’s mission focuses on how to make Britain a better place to live, work and play.
The Belonging Forum hosted two events at Anthropy with the aim of putting belonging at the heart of the conversation.
One of these sessions was a collaborative workshop which brought attendees together to discuss ideas, solutions and policies to feed into our upcoming Charter for Belonging.
It was a packed house that included a diverse range of voices from business, charitable and purpose-led bodies, and civil society who were all motivated by the idea of doing more to foster belonging within our society. The excitement to be a co-creator of the world’s first Charter for Belonging was palpable. It was clear that everyone shared a commitment to making meaningful change.
We were truly inspired – but not surprised! - to be joined by passionate individuals dedicated to addressing the challenges of disconnection and social isolation that so many face today. During the workshop, we focused on ideas which could create opportunities and empower people through collaboration.
Key Takeaways from the Workshop
There were so many fantastic contributions throughout our session, we couldn’t fit them all into one blog! But here is a snapshot of some of our observations and takeaways, distilled into our founder Kim Samuel’s 4 pillars of belonging – People, Place, Power, Purpose.
People: Here, the emphasis was on breaking down social silos and fostering allyship. Participants acknowledged the importance of cultivating curiosity about other people’s lives, despite the challenges posed by the current political climate. We also recognised that marginalised groups often bear a disproportionate burden in satisfying this curiosity, highlighting the need for inclusive approaches. Some attendees shared personal stories of feeling isolated within their own communities, reminding us how vital it is to create environments where everyone feels welcome.
Place: Safety, both physical and emotional, was identified as fundamental to belonging. Community initiatives, such as local volunteer programmes and health walks, were celebrated for rebuilding trust and fostering connections. We discussed how important it is to create safe spaces where people can be themselves without fear of judgment or exclusion. While digital spaces are essential, especially post-COVID, we also reflected on the importance of translating these virtual interactions into real-world connections, as face-to-face engagement often fosters deeper bonds.
Power: We recognised that everyone, from individuals to large corporations, shares the responsibility of breaking down barriers to belonging. While markets hold significant power, we must ensure that belonging does not become commodified solely for profit. We explored ways to hold powerful entities accountable for contributing to inclusive and supportive environments rather than merely using belonging as a marketing tool.
Purpose: Purpose-driven policies that prioritise well-being are critical to fostering lasting change. Empowering individuals to act without seeking permission is essential, especially for marginalised communities. We discussed how nurturing a sense of purpose can motivate communities to come together and support one another in tangible, lasting ways.
Addressing Barriers to Belonging
Throughout the workshop, we discussed the most significant barriers to belonging in the UK. A lack of collective vision, political polarisation, and socioeconomic inequalities were prominent themes. Issues such as housing insecurity, educational disengagement, and social media’s influence on young people were also explored. We stressed that belonging requires people to feel safe, heard, and respected - elements often compromised in modern society. We were particularly moved by stories from younger people who feel excluded from decision-making processes. This is a crucial area we must address to move forward.
Solutions and Next Steps
One unexpected suggestion was to encourage 'maverick thinking' to break norms and supercharge creativity. Additionally, building a collective purpose such as a National Service for the environment was proposed as a means to unite communities. It became clear that fostering a culture of belonging requires not only bold ideas, but also the courage to implement them.
Anthropy left us feeling energised and hopeful, knowing that so many people are committed to this journey to put belonging at the heart of rebooting Britain. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and shared their thoughts, insights, ideas and experiences so openly, trusting us to co-create the Charter for Belonging. We have never been more excited or more committed to our movement and the impact the charter will have on society by setting a global standard for belonging for the first time.