NET update: December 2022

Here’s our update for December…we wish you a very merry Christmas and we’ll look forward to connecting with you all in 2023.

Looking back at 2022

We’ve been so pleased to have been able to be back together this year for our first in-person events for some time. We’ve also made the most of working online hosting NET Connect, and NET pop ups collaborating with others.

This is what we’ve been up to this year…

• Leading Together: Growing and developing collaborative leadership practice (March 2022) — a one-day event for North East Together members and others to grow and develop collaborative leadership practice in the north east. We set out to build on and explore what we (NET members) have created in whole network events, learn from others, and create new tools and understanding. We looked to move from theory to practice together. We also shared and had a rummage about in version 1 of the NET collaboration framework and toolkit
• NET Connect 1: Knowing me, knowing you and aha moments! (May 2022) — our regular short online gatherings for NET members and networks friends to meet, talk and share for mutual support and to build community
• NET pop up: NET x Human Learning Systems (June and July 2022) — we hosted a series of events all about Human Learning Systems in June and July 2022. Our overall aim was to cultivate collective bravery in the social change sector in the north east and show working in a different way is possible. The NET x HLS three part event series introduced Human Learning Systems, gave time to listen and learn from each other and let ushave a go with the new learning cycles toolkit.
• NET pop up: NET x DataKind UK (July 2022) — we collaborated with DataKind UK on How to use the data you have to increase your impact. Giselle Cory, DataKind UK’s CEO, joined us to share how other organisations have used their existing resources and information to reach new insights such as who you are and aren’t reaching, where to target services, and what further information to collect from service users.
• NET Connect 2: The name of the game (is collaboration, inspiration and mutual support) (September 2022)
• What helps us collaborate? Collaborate for social change with Collective Leadership Scotland…North East Together’s whole network event 23 (November 2022) — our first in-person whole network event since February 2020 was in collaboration with Janet Whitley and Dot McLaughlin from Collective Leadership Scotland. Read our event write up to learn what we got up to. We also shared version 2 of our collaboration framework and toolkit.

Looking ahead to 2023

We’ll continue with our big large scale whole network gatherings — we’re thinking in May and November — and more intimate NET Connect gatherings —14 February (bookings open!) and 13 September. We’ll also host more NET pop ups to inspire us and nudge us to collaborate as topics and opportunities come up.

Want to host your own pop up event in 2023?

If you’re feeling inspired by the NET x Human Learning Systems and NET x Datakind UK pop ups, don’t forget the NET team can collaborate with you to host your own. Talk with Robert, Marie or Stephanie if you’d like to do this.

A bit of an update from us at YWC for 2023

• Being a great trustee January 2023: We’ve been asked by Newcastle Carers to run our Being a great trustee programme for a few of their trustees in January. There are some spare places, and Newcastle Carers is keen for their trustees to meet and learn alongside other trustees so would like to extend the invitation to other organisations. The overview gives more information about the three sessions. The programme is running Tuesdays 10, 17, 31 January 2023 16:00–18:00, online using Zoom. Each place costs £100; use the booking form to book your place.
• Lead and manage: Best self, Great teams, Amazing together We’re excited to be running a new leadership programme in spring-summer 2023 focusing on what we think is important for all of us in leadership roles — being your best self, being part of and leading great teams, and working on amazing things together. The programme will be three full days — one for each of the three themes Best self, Great teams, Amazing together — and two half days to help us start and end well. These will be energising days to learn together — from us and each other — and give you time out of your every day to reflect on your own leadership and connect and build relationships with your peers. The cost of each place is £600, and will start in April. The dates are 3 x full days (3 May, 7 June, 5 July) and 2 x half days (19 April, 19 July). If you’re interested in taking part and/or would like to find out more, email Robert robert@yeswecan.community or use our booking form to book your place.
• Leader and manager as coach: We’ll be sharing dates soon for our one-day training programme for leaders and managers to develop coaching skills plus a network and community of practice for us to meet twice a year to reflect and grow our practice.

About North East Together

North East Together is the network for social change leadership in the north east.

Our collective mission here at North East Together is to create the conditions, and platform for, collaboration to become the norm in the north east and to nurture a healthier social change system.

Our network offers mutual support, enables collaboration and inspires social leaders. We offer a series of dynamic network events; whole day events, self-organised collaborative working groups; pathways into coaching; and independent social change events.

North East Together is hosted by Yes We Can and is a collaboration between Yes We Can and Newcastle University Business School. We’re grateful for the support both organisations give to North East Together.

Cheerio for now.

Stephanie

For the NET team Cisse Tsang, Dr Jo James, Marie Foalle, Robert Laycock, Stephanie Cole