The Phoenix Way

We’ve been diving into the Meaningful Measurement Playbook by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship (March 2025), and it’s sparked some powerful reflections. At The Phoenix Way, we know that numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. This resource challenges outdated, extractive ways of measuring impact and makes space for learning that’s inclusive, empowering, and driven by those closest to the work. How do we truly understand the difference we make? Through the case study of The Old Fire Station in Oxford, the Storytelling Evaluation Method stood out. What started as a bold experiment became a values-aligned approach that reshaped their mission, improved funder relationships, and created ripple effects across the UK. You can read the full report on www.skollcentre.org

Sisterhood. Solidarity. Serendipity. Five years ago, in the middle of the uncertainty and isolation of Covid, I sent a random email. I didn’t know then that it would be the beginning of a transformative connection - one that has grown into a deep, meaningful friendship and professional sisterhood with the brilliant Yvonne Field OBE. What started as a simple message has turned into years of mutual support, honest conversations, and shared vision for justice, equity and community leadership. Yvonne has been a consistent source of inspiration, courage and fierce commitment and I’m so grateful that our paths crossed when they did. This journey reminds me of the power of networks. Not the transactional kind, but the genuine, heart-led ones. The kind built on trust, shared values, and showing up for one another even when it’s hard. In leadership, especially in spaces where we are too often ‘the only one’, these connections are vital. To anyone building or nurturing your circle: keep reaching out, stay open, and lead with authenticity. You never know what might grow from a single email. #Sisterhood #Leadership #Networking #WomenSupportingWomen #CommunityPower #Gratitude #InclusiveLeadership (Picture taken at the recent The Phoenix Way retreat!)

It’s refreshing to see a young person like Jaeda so passionate about her skills and creative arts of capturing ideas and debates on how to support and empower black and racialised communities!

BEYOND THE RED DOT 🔴 YouthTheGap CIC X BOXPARK This year, YouthTheGap partnered with TEDxBrighton to challenge the theme of “Planet Hope”...but what are we to do beyond the iconic ‘red dot’? 📍London - 23rd July, 6 PM - 9 PM Room 51 “BeatBox” (BOXPARK SHOREDITCH, 2 - 10 BETHNAL GREEN ROAD, LONDON, E1 6GY) 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/ec8-TxNW It is not enough to just simply ‘hope’ for a better world, we need to come together to disrupt the system that is working EXACTLY as it’s designed to. Join us for an interactive evening of workshops, led by your now TEDx Speakers Busayo Twins , Dyar Hussain and Annabelle Woghiren , to propel you into action inspired by each of their TEDx concepts. Expect a panel, unpacking our experiences of returning to one of Europe’s largest independently organised TEDx stages, and how we brought our ideas of what hope looks like, to life! Meet like-minded folk as you network, see how you can join forces with TEDx wisdom and leave with tangible actions to make waves across Brighton and Hove. Make a social impact with us - all funds will be donated to our selected multi-award-winning charity Sistah Space . Our proud partners: Found & Flourish City Girl Network University of Brighton The Phoenix Way Boxpark Shoreditch 📸 Leoni Fretwell

BEYOND THE RED DOT 🔴 Brighton This year, YouthTheGap CIC partnered with TEDxBrighton to challenge the theme of “Planet Hope”...but what are we to do beyond the iconic ‘red dot’? 📍University of Brighton (Moulsecoomb Campus, 101 Cockcroft Building), June 26th, 3:30pm - 6:30pm 🎟️ https://lu.ma/j9v3elwt It is not enough to just simply ‘hope’ for a better world, we need to come together to disrupt the system that is working EXACTLY as it’s designed to. Join us for an interactive evening of workshops, led by your now TEDx Speakers Busayo Twins , Dyar Hussain and Annabelle Woghiren , to propel you into action inspired by each of their TEDx concepts. Expect a panel, unpacking our experiences of returning to one of Europe’s largest independently organised TEDx stages, and how we brought our ideas of what hope looks like, to life! Meet like-minded folk as you network, see how you can join forces with TEDx wisdom and leave with tangible actions to make waves across Brighton and Hove. Make a social impact with us - all funds will be donated to our selected grassroots action group, @brightonqueers4palestine . Our proud partners: Found & Flourish City Girl Network University of Brighton The Phoenix Way BOXPARK 📸 Leoni Fretwell

Grantee Spotlight: Five X More CIC featuring founders Tinuke Awe & Clotilde Abe We’re proud to spotlight another of the ten incredible organisations awarded a grant from our Racial Justice Fund. As a grassroots organisation, they are committed to improving Black maternal health outcomes in the UK. Born from lived experience, their work has reshaped public conversations around systemic racism in healthcare, elevated the voices of Black mothers, and driven vital change in policy and practice. Their mission? To make Black maternal deaths in the UK not five times more likely, but never more likely. We’re honoured to stand alongside them 💙 #ThePhoenixWay #FiveXMore #BlackMaternalHealth #RacialJusticeFund #HealthEquity #CommunityPower #BlackWomensVoices

At our recent Reflect, Restore, Rejoice retreat, we were honoured to be joined by Jaeda Divine as our Live Visual Illustrator, an artist who captured more than just images, but stories, truths, and visions for the future. Over two days of collective reflection, joy, and deep conversation, Jaeda translated the energy and wisdom in the room into powerful visual storytelling. Her artwork became a living archive of the spirit of the retreat. As we celebrated 5 years of The Phoenix Way, her visual interpretations reminded us: when words are not enough, art steps in to carry our weight, our hope, and our fire forward. 📸 Swipe to see snapshots of Jaeda’s process and some of her pieces. #ThePhoenixWay #LiveVisualIllustration #RestorativeJustice #VisualStorytelling #ReflectRestoreRejoice

🌍 This World Environment Day 2025, we are sharing lessons from Wangari Maathai. Environmental justice isn’t new and it’s not separate from racial, gender or economic justice. 🌱 We honour the legacy of revolutionary Kenyan activist who planted more than trees. She planted movements. As the founder of the The Green Belt Movement, Wangari mobilised thousands of women to protect land, challenge injustice, and fight for their communities. Her legacy lives on in Black-led environmental work across the diaspora, from food sovereignty projects to community land campaigns, including the work we support here at The Ubele Initiative. What's your little thing? Every seed and voice matters, we want to hear yours. #WorldEnvironmentDay #WangariMaathai #EnvironmentalJustice #LandJustice #GreenBeltMovement 

Throwback to a powerful weekend: Reflect. Restore. Rejoice. Five years of The Phoenix Way — a movement born in crisis, carried by community, and grounded in racial and social justice. At our three-day retreat, we paused to honour the labour, collaboration and vision that has shaped TPW since 2020. We reflected on the path we’ve walked, restored our collective purpose, and rejoiced in the deep trust, connection, and power we’ve built across Black and racially minoritised communities. Rooted in anti-racist values and community-first principles, this gathering reminded us: real change is slow, intentional, and always collective. Thank you to everyone who made it so meaningful — and to @eastwood_hall for providing a space to come together and feel held. #ThePhoenixWay #CommunityPower #RacialJustice #RetreatReflections #CollectiveCare #BlackLeadership #SocialJustice #TPW5Years #ReflectRestoreRejoice

🎥 Youth Voices Leading the Way In this short interview, we hear directly from Kaia Allen-Bevan, the founder of YouthTheGap CIC — sharing what it means to create space for honesty, agency, and change. Their voices remind us why youth leadership and intergenerational collaboration are essential to bridging the gaps in equity, opportunity, and representation. At a time when structural barriers still silence too many, platforms like this give power back to those with the most at stake — the future. 🌱 Real change starts with listening. #YouthTheGap #YouthVoice #EquityInAction #CommunityLeadership #SocialJustice #NextGenChange #LinkedInVoices