Our
Learning
Interactive Resource and Film – this is an interactive learning resource with interviews with the team and links to results of our work. Start by clicking on the introductory film. Then click through the various links to explore the films, reflections and learning from the Stigma Free Futures process.
About the Film
This film shares the voices, experiences and insights of people who have lived with stigma and the impact it can have on everyday lives, relationships and opportunities. Through personal stories and reflections, it explores how stigma is created, how it is sustained, and most importantly, what we can all do to challenge it.
The film is designed to support learning, reflection and discussion. Whether you are a practitioner, policymaker, researcher, educator, community member or someone with lived experience, we hope it encourages you to think differently about stigma, recognise its effects, and consider the role we all play in creating more understanding, inclusive and compassionate communities.
As you watch, we invite you to reflect on your own experiences, assumptions and practice.
Real change begins when we listen, learn and work together to build a future where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and without judgement.
Please note: The film includes personal experiences that some viewers may find emotional or challenging. We encourage you to take care while watching and access support if needed.
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 (Head of Participation and Advocacy). 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 ‘Stigma: The Machinery of Inequality’ had set out some of the thinking this work builds on, and who undertook a literature review for the team; Sarah Whitehead, who co-facilitated the team with 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.
