A visual theory of change that held their values.

The Anne Matthews Trust is an anti-racist organisation based in Wales. They wanted to find ways to reflect on their theory of change, and focus on how they can make change happen, particularly in relation to anti-racism and anti-oppression within a capitalist world.

They were also keen to find ways to make their organisation more financially sustainable that aligned with their values.

I ran a process that helped the team develop a theory of change for their work, and devised an action plan that could help them implement it. We also took work that had been previously done by an external consultant around business planning, and integrated that within the theory of change, while ensuring it met with their values.

It quickly became clear a traditional theory of change structure didn’t fit with the ethos of the organisation, and so we re-designed the process to build a visual theory of change that worked for them.

As a white facilitator, I was conscious of my presence in a space that is led for and by people of a refugee and migrant background. We held open conversations that acknowledged the power dynamics between myself as the facilitator, and the participants.

To address this, I focused on creating a space that was safe for participants, not just in terms of content but also in terms of emotional labour. I recognised that different perspectives may arise from places of white privilege, and worked to identify places where I could further perpetuate oppressive systems.

Bolstered by the day’s workshops, and building off the financial autonomy plan provided by the consultant, the organisation worked together to establish a new theory of change. They devised a clear action plan that would enable them to move forward and become more financially resilient in the future, while ensuring their values remained in alignment.