how another way collective was born

Between 2017 and 2026, our collective members ran a highly respected community-focused social enterprise called Sleeping Giants. Over a decade, Sleeping Giants grew into something powerful, with trusted relationships, strong local roots, national relevance, and work that was values-led, relational and grounded in equity. 
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During this time, we saw a growing need for our services and the way we worked, but our experience also taught us that traditional organisational structures can place risk, responsibility and emotional labour on a small number of people, especially in community-focused work where relationships, care and trust are central to impact.  From our own lived experience, we also know that many other factors from caring responsibilities to long-term health conditions and neurodivergence can further affect capacity to sustain these demands.

We thought "there must be another way" and in response, began a period of research and deep reflection with staff, board members and partners.  From this, another way collective was created as a kinder and more sustainable way to undertake meaningful, values-based work which builds lasting change for people and communities, while protecting the wellbeing, capacity and integrity of the people delivering it.  It is an evolution, not a departure from what we were known for in our time at Sleeping Giants.
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What has not changed

• Most of the people involved
• The quality of delivery
• Our values and approach
• Our commitment to equity, inclusion & shared power
• The relational, thoughtful way we work
• The impact we aim to create

What has changed
Changes are largely practical and structural:

• We no longer operate as a formal organisation and clients contract directly with freelance practitioners
• Invoices come from the lead practitioner (or individual practitioners), rather than from any organisation
• Where appropriate, one lead freelance practitioner may hold a contract and subcontract others​

This new structure (which shares responsibility more sustainably, and reduces the pressures associated with traditional organisational models) allows us to design work that supports wellbeing and capacity, not as a compromise, but as a strength.  We believe that when practitioners are supported in this way, the quality and integrity of the work is stronger for everyone.

We are grateful for the trust our clients and partners placed in us during our time at Sleeping Giants, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside you in this next chapter.