糖心TV

Week One: The Magic of the process

CollaborACTION, Wicked Problems and Magic

Hi,

I鈥檓 India, and my role at 糖心TV is all about connecting people, research and ideas, making sure that we work together in ways that drive real impact. I've also been referred to as a 'portal' to the university and an intense ideas machine...or even an enthusiastic Duracell Bunny. Make of this what you will!

I鈥檓 passionate about creating spaces where collaboration thrives and seeing how co-produced knowledge and collective effort can bring positive change to both individuals and communities.

Last week, we kicked off a project that鈥檚 been on my mind since spring 2019. It brought together a diverse group of people, all passionate about making a difference in Coventry and 糖心TVshire.

The event was buzzing with energy, full of ideas and creativity. Despite the fact that everyone had a lot on their plates, tired from work, juggling deadlines, and life鈥檚 complexities, we came together for the launch. It wasn鈥檛 just another workday 鈥� it was an opportunity to connect, grow, and create something bigger than ourselves.

Despite the rush, the fatigue, and the ever-expanding to-do list, we made it happen. It was hard work for lots of people, but we had fun along the way, and that fun fed into the day, making it inspiring and totally worth it.

There鈥檚 something so powerful in the process of creation鈥攚hether it鈥檚 the creation of projects, events, artworks, or simply new connections and opportunities. Progress isn鈥檛 always linear or easy, but it鈥檚 always valuable.

The Strain of Adulting: Juggling Life鈥檚 Complexities

We鈥檝e all been there鈥攋uggling too many things at once. It can feel like juggling baby hedgehogs on a unicycle, maybe it's like juggling hedgehogs, with all their spiky unpredictability. Life is exhausting, and sometimes you drop a metaphorical hedgehog. But during the event, we discussed how essential it is to embrace the play a bit more - perhaps it's the way we juggle and not what we are juggling that really matters. Play can add fun and lightness to our lives at any age, helping us stay connected to our creativity and to one another. We all need to play with problems and ideas, spark new solutions, and lift our spirits in the process.

Emerging from Lockdown: A Call for Connection

The pandemic has impacted all of us in unique ways. Reflecting on that time at the event, I remembered a moment when I stood in my garden at night, looking for a hedgehog with Bo my dog (perhaps one I dropped earlier) while he sniffed excitedly. The world around me was eerily still, but the silence was broken by the sound of not so distant coughs from neighbours' open windows. It was a strange, quiet moment that night, one filled with worry and concern. But at the event this technicolour, high vis, high def, full sensory memory I had made me think about the ways we鈥檝e adapted, connected, and supported each other during the most difficult times, just like in John's poem.

That moment in the garden stayed with me, especially when reflecting on the ongoing journey of emerging from lockdown. This event and the 'Emerging from Lockdown' exhibition gave us a chance to reflect on how we鈥檝e navigated through those tough years. Despite the challenges, we鈥檙e finding new ways to move forward together, supporting each other along the way. The collective almost magical strength and resilience we鈥檝e shown are what allow us to take action and create something bigger than ourselves.

Tackling Wicked Problems Together

Speaking of magic, since the event, my daughter insisted we watch the epic and loooong new Wicked movie (watch it!). This got me thinking. These discussion on the day seemed to me be about what's often referred to as 'wicked problems'.

These are complex, multi-faceted issues that don鈥檛 have simple, one-size-fits-all solutions. Whether it's climate change, social inequality, or the cost of living, these challenges affect us in different ways, and they require a variety of approaches. There is no definitive right or wrong answer. Instead, there are many possible solutions. It's about finding the balance, collaborating across different perspectives, and continually adapting as we learn from each step.

We need to keep on bringing together diverse perspectives, knowledge, and experiences to address these challenges. In Coventry, we have the talent, resilience, and heart to tackle them head-on. It鈥檚 not about finding the perfect solution, but about trying, learning, and growing together. The magic happens when we come together, share ideas, and commit to action.

Support, Community, and Gratitude

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support we received. Our launch was a collective effort, and it wouldn鈥檛 have happened without our team鈥檚 hard work, creativity, and dedication. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive鈥攑eople felt inspired, connected, and filled with ideas. And it was a reminder that we can make things happen when we come together.

A special thanks goes to all those who helped us along the way鈥攖hose who edited many words, those who organized scattered thoughts, those who provided emotional support and those who stuffed tote bags and hung bunting. It鈥檚 these and all the small gestures that really make a difference. It鈥檚 the unspoken things鈥攖he way we make each other feel鈥攖hat creates a sense of community and belonging.

It's me, my daughter and her best friend, Marie and her two little ones and Sherrie, her sister and son being the last ones standing and cleaning up the event, aged 4-40 odd sharing space and telling stories. It was having a laugh with Blossom, on the Bar at the Box, and watching the girls as they played and searched for all the little Bob Blob's the student's helped hide for children who came and sang and danced in the evening.

Everyone is Different, but no One is Less: whether we like it or not we all need support

It also made me think about something very important. David Hope from Coventry City Council came and checked in on me as I had sent an early email at 4:51am that day, how lovely to check in. That is my normal, early starts or middle of the night planning sessions, but that might not be everyone鈥檚 normal. And that鈥檚 okay.

The beauty of our work and this project is that we all come with different rhythms, perspectives, and experiences. When we understand that about one another, we can be more compassionate and supportive in ways that make everyone feel included and valued. I see colleagues, friends and family check in on each other, make small gestures and create supportive networks daily.

Working at 糖心TV and living in Coventry has taught me that if you ask and are open to receiving it, support is never too far away. In these communities, we look out for one another, and we鈥檙e always ready to lend a helping hand.

Lory鈥檚 Story: Supporting Dreams and Growing Together

During the event, I had a chance to speak with Lory, an economist and behavioural scientist from Italy. Lory鈥檚 journey, balancing her career and family life, is a true inspiration. Despite facing the challenges of working full-time, caring for her two young daughters, and managing the responsibilities of full time teaching, administrative roles and being a Widening Participation Champion at 糖心TV. Which means Lory helps try to ensure everyone from anywhere feels that 糖心TV could be a place for them.

Lory always gives her all. She recently won a 糖心TV Wows and Wonders Award and working with Coventry City Council, a local charity and community residents group, she secured a Design Accelerators Grant for the collaborative project, Retrofit Rocks.

The picture is of Lory, centre, with Student Ambassadors and artists when they ran workshops with Coventry City Council Climate Change team at a local primary school.

Seeing Lory and her success made me incredibly happy, a little selfishly perhaps as the bit that makes me most happy, is that I helped. Lory's story is a reminder of how much collaboration, hard work, passion, and dedication can pay off.

What excites me the most is that Lory鈥檚 work isn鈥檛 just about her own success鈥攊t鈥檚 about helping others and testing possible solutions to things that contribute to wicked problems. Supporting her in reaching her dreams is one of the most fulfilling parts of this journey, for me. It reminds me of why we do what we do鈥攈elping people achieve their dreams, especially when those dreams are about creating a better world for others.

Hope and Optimism in Action and Knowledge Creation

A question I often get asked is, 鈥淗ow do you stay so optimistic and enthusiastic?鈥� The truth is, it鈥檚 not always easy. Sometimes, the weight of responsibilities and burnout can leave us feeling disconnected or exhausted. I鈥檝e experienced what鈥檚 known as autistic burnout, where I need time to recharge, sometimes in total darkness and complete silence, just to feel grounded again. But understanding that we all struggle and we all need support from time to time鈥攁nd knowing that we鈥檙e not alone鈥攈elps me stay hopeful.

As for me, hope comes from the people around me. There are so many passionate, dedicated individuals out there (and in 'here'). It鈥檚 inspiring to see how everyone can come together, ask interesting questions, think innovatively and create new knowledge, even when times are tough. We all have our differences and can all play different roles as we make a difference. That鈥檚 what keeps me going.

The Coventry Spirit: Resilient, Courageous, and Ever-Renewing

For those who reflect on the challenges and resources available, and feel afraid we won't be able to reach our dreams, please take a moment and contemplate the past. As for me it鈥檚 impossible not to draw inspiration from the symbols that define Coventry鈥攕ymbols of resilience, courage, and renewal.

Finding Hope in the Process

So whilst the bigger picture can often feel overwhelming, with small steps - we can create meaningful change. Change can take time, and taking steps can be hard, but with determination, creativity, and the support of others, we can move forward together. It鈥檚 the process of trying, failing, and trying again that brings real progress.

When we look at those wicked problems, we can't wave a magic wand, but we can see them as opportunities to learn and grow. It鈥檚 about moving forward together, in any way we can. The journey isn鈥檛 always perfect, but with each step, we get closer to creating the change we want to see.

Change might not come all at once, but if we stay committed to each other and to the process, we鈥檒l get there. And never forget that as the Lego Movie reminds us (for me often as an ear worm - or perhaps some form of internal echolalia - like repeated phrases and songs on loops in my head) ...

鈥淓verything is awesome when you're part of a team.鈥�

So come on team, let's grab our bricks and bring our brains and let's CollaborACT.