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NATIONAL GATHERING 2025
LET'S Connect, learn and build assembly culture together
A weekend for local organisers, facilitators and academics in the Humanity Project to build relationships, swap knowledge and shape grassroots democratic organising through Popular Assemblies.
👉 Book your breakout session
👉 Questions? Email ruth@humanityproject.uk
WHAT IS IT?
The Gathering features workshops, breakout sessions, storytelling, assemblies and creative activities to:
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Strengthen collective practice
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Develop strategy grounded in real experience
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Deepen shared identity and culture
Topics include empathy-building, facilitation, narrative analysis, strategy development and an assembly on foodbanks.
>> Cost: Free (includes accommodation and all meals; all dietary requirements catered).
>> Childcare available. Participants cover travel (limited bursaries — email Ruth to enquire).
WHAT IS IT?
The Gathering features workshops, breakout sessions, storytelling, assemblies and creative activities to:
-
Strengthen collective practice
-
Develop strategy grounded in real experience
-
Deepen shared identity and culture
Topics include empathy-building, facilitation, narrative analysis, strategy development and an assembly on foodbanks.
>> Cost: Free (includes accommodation and all meals; all dietary requirements catered).
>> Childcare available. Participants cover travel (limited bursaries — email Ruth to enquire).
Friday 19 Sept (6pm) → Sunday 21 Sept (2pm), 2025
Venue: Yarnfield Park, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 0NL
HOW TO GET THERE
By train: Ruth will be doing a shuttle service between Stone station and Yarnfield Park on Friday between 5-9pm. Text Ruth on 07740 195893 with the time you're arriving.
Arriving outside 5-9pm? Let Ruth know ASAP! (Ruth will also drop you back at the station on Sunday afternoon.
By car: Ample car parking on site (ST15 0NL). Please lift-share if you can — email Ruth if you’re happy to offer lifts.
Share lifts: Please attempt to lift share if you can - email Ruth if you’re driving solo and are happy to pick some people up!
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Friday 19th September:
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from 6:00pm — Arrivals & check-in
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6:00–7:30pm — Dinner
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6:00–10:00pm — Drop-in creative activity
Saturday 20th September:
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7:00–8:30am — Breakfast
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9:00–10:30am — Intros & connections (Victory Suite)
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10:30–10:45am — Break
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10:45–12:00pm — Deliberation taster (Victory Suite)
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12:00–12:15pm — Musical performance
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12:15–1:15pm — Lunch
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1:15–2:15pm — Empathy Building & Impossible Conversations (Victory Suite)
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2:15–3:45pm — Breakouts: key assembly skills & knowledge (Nelson 2 & Howard 1)
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3:45–4:00pm — Break
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4:00–5:30pm — Breakouts: key assembly skills & knowledge (Nelson 2, 3 & Howard 1)
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5:30–6:00pm — Reflection & close (Victory Suite)
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6:00–7:30pm — Dinner
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7:30–10:00pm — Evening activity: talent show, political speech performances, music, connection (Victory Suite)
Sunday 21st September:
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7:00–8:30am — Breakfast
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9:00–10:30am — Panel of assembly experts from around the UK (Victory Suite)
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10:30–10:45am — Break
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10:45–11:45am — Open space: self-organised discussions (Victory Suite)
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11:45–12:15pm — Group closing
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12:15–1:15pm — Lunch
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After lunch — Departures (shuttle to Stone station for train travellers)
CONTACTS
Ruth Rogers — ruth@humanityproject.uk — 07740 195893
Julia Wakefield — Julia.wakefield@corganisers.org.uk — 07591 206913
Lachlan Ayles — lachlan@humanityproject.uk — 07720 207340