Active hope: a taster session

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Gain an introductory experience of Active Hope and the Work That Reconnects
• Explore ways of relating to difficult emotions associated with climate action
• Reconnect with inner resources that support resilience, confidence and sustained engagement

Being engaged in climate action can carry a significant emotional toll. We are exposed to distressing information, face frustrating barriers to change, and hold a deep awareness of what is at stake. This can leave us feeling overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted, even as we continue to care deeply and want to act.

Following SCCAN’s (Scottish Community Climate Action Network) previous introductory Active Hope webinar with Chris Johnstone, this taster session offers a gentle introduction to practices from the Work That Reconnects, developed by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone. These practices support us to acknowledge reality honestly while reconnecting with courage, creativity and care.

How can we strengthen our capacity to stay engaged for the long term, face the mess we are in, and keep showing up to play our part? This session explores those questions through reflection and shared experience, offering practical ways to remain grounded, motivated and connected as part of climate and community action.

Timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, the session creates space to reflect on emotional wellbeing while strengthening confidence, hope and collective resolve.

Active Hope is different from being hopeful; it is an energy of engagement that can happen through us, through our actions and choices and continued determination to make a difference.

• A brief introduction to practices for staying present with challenging emotions
• Within the constraints of this short taster, starting to reconnect to purpose, values and collective strength

Confirmed speakers are Zainab Al Lawati and Pam Candea, both experienced facilitators trained in Active Hope and the Work That Reconnects.

This taster session is designed for anyone working or volunteering within the third sector - including project officers, volunteer managers, trustees, senior leaders, and frontline volunteers. In particular, it is for those taking or communicating climate and community action who are feeling the weight of the "long haul."

This space is for you if you find yourself:

• Oscillating between a deep desire to act and a sense of emotional exhaustion.
• Seeking practical tools to sustain your engagement and wellbeing for the long term
• Looking for a grounded way to stay connected to your purpose despite the frustrating barriers to change described above

Whatever your role, if you are navigating the challenge of "showing up" while holding a deep awareness of what is at stake, we welcome you to join this reflection.

No prior experience required.

Please find out about the free online Active Hope course here.