Toolkit for Change was a self-help manual and directory for groups of socially excluded people working to improve their lives. It includes many examples of self-help groups and their working practices. It also offers advice on how to set a group up.
The Groundswell Forums were gatherings of homeless people which included Speak Outs and also offered workshops including meditation, Yurt building, design and printing of newsletters. The Forum was the first positive collective action on a large scale by the homeless community and had an up-beat festival feel whilst still focusing on real issues.
The Exchanges programme was a chance for a wide variety of individuals to meet and witness experiences from different groups around the country. This key document captured the ideas and actions generated from the programme and gave groups new ideas to include in their working practices.
Speak Outs allowed homeless people, whose voices were previously unheard, to have a say on decisions that would affect their future.
The early days of Groundswell focused on creating a platform for homeless people to have voice, a network to share advice and resources, and most importantly, a movement to create change. The 'Seize the Day' film captures the energy and 'DIY' approach that Groundswell took in the late 90s and early 2000s.
This is Groundswell’s first newsletter. It connected a network of 400 campaign projects and individuals. 27 quarterly editions shared information, expanded the Groundswell network and encouraged participation at the first Groundswell national Forum.
Speak Outs originated in 1992 when Mike Connelly (aka James Nelson), following a trip to the States, had an idea for a rather ambitious international conference involving people from the UK and the USA, which he wanted to run at The Lambeth Mission on 31st October 1992.
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