Collaborative Future was a not-for-profit community interest company (CIC) actively advocating for a society where anyone can find value and be valued in their work. We provided space and support for individuals, groups and workplaces to come together to develop skills, connections and opportunities for work which align with their values, unique strengths and experiences.

This space celebrates Collaborative Futures’ community, showcasing the impact, learnings and knowledge to inspire others who are on the journey of reimagining what “work” is.

You can find out a little bit more about our decision to close here.

 
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The people behind Collaborative Future

 
 
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Ray Cooper

“Collaborative Future changed my life. The team and the community we built showed me what working with mutual care and authenticity really felt like.”

Ray is a facilitator in a variety of contexts from community gatherings to participatory research programmes. They also provide organisational development support to a wide range of teams. And they are busy setting up a co-housing project in Wirksworth.

Email me at: ray@and-breathe.org

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Prisca Munzemba

"Collaborative Future fundamentally changed my perception of what work is and could be, and the importance and impact of being supported to choose this for oneself.”

Prisca is pursuing a career in project management whilst continuing to support social justice through meaningful initiatives and organisations.

Email me at: hello@collaborativefuture.co.uk

Sonia Tyrna

“Collaborative Future and our community has pushed my understanding of what work is, what community is and what growth could look like - what we have built will remain part of my core.”

Sonia is a creative community builder, creating spaces, processes and conversations that spark joy, build connection and a sense of belonging. They are currently working with LGBT+ communities in Derby and Nottingham through Derbyshire LGBT+ and Zesty’s Collective.

Email me at: soniatyrna@gmail.com

Throughout, we have worked together with our board members, young people and small businesses and organisations to shape the path and vision for Collaborative Future. You can read about our mission, values and impact over the years here.

 

Inclusive recuitment resources

Over the years, through consultancy and programmes we've developed hiring practices that we know help teams attract diverse talent and truly value and experience peoples' skills and potential through the process. We want to help businesses to hire the best people for the job, not just those who are best at interviewing. We have documented our approach from start to finish in a free recruitment guide to inspire others searching for alternative ways of growing. Our knowledge and advice are based on real-life experiences of being on both sides of the process.

 
 
Read about our ideas and approaches to recruitment
Recruitment practices : The good and the bad : Part 1
Recruitment practices : The good and the bad : Part 1

Our community shares some of the practices within recruitment that might create barriers to access for candidates, alongside championing some of the good practices that improve the candidate experience.

The endless creativity of task-based interviews we have witnessed
The endless creativity of task-based interviews we have witnessed

In this blog we delve into the task-based interviews, and showcase how this approach worked while hiring young people for our 2021 work placement programme.

How Collaborative Future's hiring process benefits disabled people
How Collaborative Future's hiring process benefits disabled people

Becky reflects on our recruitment process for the internship programme, commenting on how it differs from traditional hiring methods and how placing inclusivity at the centre of recruitment benefits disabled people.

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Our programmes

 

Between 2019 and 2024, throughout the pandemic and across 4 work placement programmes we provided 32 young people with meaningful and paid work alongside 35 freelancers and small businesses. This was offered alongside a wide-range of mentoring, training and coaching for all involved.

 
 
Read about our ideas and approaches to work placement programmes
Young people on the hopes, misconceptions and barriers of self-employment : Part 1
Young people on the hopes, misconceptions and barriers of self-employment : Part 1

Sonia, our Community Advocate, shares our collective learnings of supporting young people to explore self-employment through our last talent programme, focusing on representation, money and exploration.

NOTT ART : Memories that connect us
NOTT ART : Memories that connect us

Sharing the fascinating buildings, stories and connections that came out of collective experiences facilitated through the NOTT ART : Memories that connect us workshop + social.

What I've learnt about value and justice through our work placement programme
What I've learnt about value and justice through our work placement programme

Tess, our founder, shares her reflections on what the latest iteration of our work placement programme has taught her about value, justice and the power we all have to invest in change.

Equity and Inclusion

 

Collaborative Future was representative of the people it served - we have put values at the centre of our work and embodied the change we wanted to create within the world, from our internal processes to the organisational structure. We have ran workshops, created audits, held coaching sessions to support others in creating sustainable ways to tackle structural issues around diversity and inclusion.

 
 
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The community of Collaborative Future

 

 Got questions?

If you have any questions about our content, if you’d like to work with our team members on a freelance basis, if you’d like us to signpost you to other community members or organisations doing inspiring work, get in touch:

hello@collaborativefuture.co.uk

 
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thanks to our friends at William Joseph Design for ONGOING SUPPORT, AND FOR hosting this site.