Our
Learning 

This work began with people who really wanted to do it, one of whom happened to be working at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation at the time, Sarah Campbell. She brought the design team together in different ways.  

 

Most of us applied. Others were invited: among them Imogen Tyler, whose book on stigma and poverty had set out some of the thinking this work builds on, and who undertook a literature review for the team; Sarah Whitehead, who was invited to share her experience of community organising; and Alana Avery, who facilitated and coached the team. 

When we started this work, we thought one way to test stigma-free principles would be to work with a large national organisation. We hoped that if these ideas worked there, they could help bring about wider change. 
We met people who believed in the work and wanted it to succeed. But we also learned that support for change is often tested when priorities change and difficult decisions must be made. 

 

That led us to a different conclusion. 

The future of stigma-free practice will be shaped by the people and communities most affected by stigma. If these ideas are going to make a difference, it will be because lots of people take them forward, not because any single organisation champions them. 

 

So, take these ideas. Borrow them. Build on them. Make them better.
Interactive film – this is an interactive learning resource. Click through the various
links to explore the films, reflections and learning from the Stigma Free Futures
process.