Coming Up...
Changemaker Conversations Every Tuesday in term 5.15-6.30pm @Griffin Bar (starting April 25th)
Drinks, snacks & a semi-structured roundtable conversation with fellow Changemakers - learn, inspire, meet, and build a community of Changemaking practice. No booking needed - simply drop by.
Special guests - authors, medics, journalists, artists, CEOs, academics, activists - will be joining us throughout the year (details here). It's a chance to meet experienced Changemakers & have an actual, meaningful conversation away from the formalities of a lecture or seminar.
Changemakers Annual Residential September 24-29 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
Come and spend a week building transformational leadership, skills and networks crucial for shifting the dial on what matters to you. Changemakers Annual Residential is an intensive, immersive & multidisciplinary programme, offering space to help develop your self, to practise tools for influence in society, and to deepen your knowledge of world systems. It helps you combine your passions with gritty skills and a sophisticated understanding of reality. And it offers an invitation to be part of a community committed to making a difference
Led by expert faculty from academia, industry, policy, activism, innovation and the arts, the residential focusses on your sense of purpose and motivation; ethical, justice-focused practical tools; and on power, levers for change, and how these intersect. Apply by 5pm July 16
We have limited places for students from other Cambridge Colleges. If you would like to come to this event please email us on changemakers@homerton.cam.ac.uk
Founders' Hour 29 June 5-6pm
Founders’ Hour offers an informal discussion space on the challenges founders (or about-to-be founders) face: setting up a team, business & sustainable growth, branding, marketing, advisory board recruitment, governance, technology USP, customer profile, ethics, or whatever other issues emerge. All Homerton students are welcome, even if you are at a very early stage of entrepreneurship.
Last Thursday each month from 5-6pm from Easter Term, facilitated by Dr Soraya Jones. Either drop by the Macaulay Room at 5pm or request a Zoom link by emailing changemakers@homerton.cam.ac.uk (latest one day before the date).
A new bespoke programme for Homertonians ready to influence, in any field - from business & tech to politics, science and arts.
Through 2 short residentials, 3 dinner seminars, and a field trip to The Eden Project, Cornwall, you'll explore your intrinsic motivation; develop high-level tools to get things done; and understand regenerative principles and design to help usher in better futures. It's ambitious, intensive, and built on the belief that transformation or systems, whether large or small, is possible.
[All events are open to all Homerton students and recent alumni, free of charge. Booking essential]
Previously...
Lent 2022/23
Mentoring Scheme July-Dec 2023
Don’t miss out on a chance to talk with an experienced, skilled mentor about careers, job-finding, direction-setting and the practicalities of working out what you're going to do next, and how you might do it. The programme matches you with an experienced mentor - Cambridge alumni, members of the Changemakers network - focusing on your career, aspirations, life.
Life beyond Death 18 May 7-8.30pm @ Fellows' Dining Room (in person)
Do you want to know more about the process of organ donation and how it has dramatically affected the lives of people who have received a transplant or on the waiting list, as well as donor families? Join us for a discussion with people involved in the process and whose lives have been transformed through donation. No registration needed, just drop by the Fellows' Dining Room
[This event is led by Homerton Changemakers ambassador Subhankar Paul.]
Dinner with a Leader: Rupert Baines, Serial Entrepreneur 17 May 6.30-9pm @ Drawing Room (in person)
We are excited to host serial entrepreneur Rupert Baines for our Dinner with a Leader roundtable discussion.
Full of energy and ideas, Rupert will share his understanding of the context of start-ups, how start-ups drive change & innovation, the challenges of forming and growing a start-up and then the transition to scale up and growth stage.
Changemakers Catalyst Fund Applications now closed
Do you want to make a positive change in the world? Are you building - or planning to build - an enterprise, product, campaign, or creative project that will help us move to a more just, sustainable and regenerative future? If yes, the Changemakers Catalyst Fund will provide grants of up to £2K for student-led initiatives that aim to create significant change. Projects from any sector and discipline are welcome.
The fund is explicitly to support ventures at the start up stage, where catalyst funding of this kind will make a substantive difference to the likely success of your project or initiative. Winning groups will be supported by intensive mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and leaders via our industry partner Cambridge Wireless. Winners will also be invited to showcase their project to a select group of Cambridge business leaders, investors and influencers at Changemaker's Annual Autumn Residential, September 2023.
Presenting with Impact 21 April 1.45-5pm @Alison Shrubsole (in person) This event is now fully booked
If you want to know about presenting with confidence and achieving a great impact, join us for this practical workshop with award-winning author, coach and speaker Tara Fennessy, Managing Director of the bespoke leadership development consultancy Leadership Skills Training.
In this interactive, real, and energetic training session, Tara will share with you tips, tools, and techniques to get you into the top 5% of presenters and speakers. She'll draw on her internationally recognised WOW methodology - what's your impact, orbiting influence, and what is crucial - to help you hone your presentation techniques and confidence.
[This event is led by Homerton Changemakers ambassador Jesimiel Akinsuyi.]
Society & Tools for Change: a Changemakers Workshop 21 March 10.00am-5.30pm (online)
Changemaking requires tools. This workshop offers you a deep-dive into:
- tools for getting things done that help you see the limiting assumptions of systems around you (deep listening, interpreting language)
- tools for collaborating in ways that empower you and others (collaboration styles)
- and tools for creating, inventing and envisaging (experimentation, inventing, play)
The experience includes plenaries, small group discussion, self-reflection time, creative exercises, and discussions with Jessica Tayenjam, consultant and social innovator and a workshop with Dr Mark Bloomfield, engineer, media expert and CEO of Turbulence
Open to all Homertonians and recent alumni. Limited places available for non Homerton students
Changemakers Catalyst Fund Development Day 16 Mar 3.30-8 pm @Fellows Dining Room (in person). Register by 12 March 5pm!
Do you want to make a positive change in the world? Are you building - or planning to build - an enterprise, product, initiative, campaign, or creative project that will help move us to a more just, sustainable and regenerative future? The Changemakers Catalyst Fund will be awarding 5 grants of up to 2K each for initiatives in any field - from tech to politics, arts and business - led by Homerton students . Applications open 20 Mar 2023 and close on 27 April 5pm.
Ahead of submitting an application you’re invited to join leading innovators, entrepreneurs and academics to hone your project ideas and techniques for proposing it. Network with others to find your team! Learn how to make a strong pitch – understand emerging trends – meet industry leaders, entrepreneurs and innovation specialists – & network over dinner.
#SpeakUpHomerton 2 Mar 7-9.00 pm @Drawing Room (in person )
Led by Homerton Changemakers Ambassadors Eyal Cohen, Anushka Bhaskar and Najib Sharifi in collaboration with MCR. #SpeakUpHomerton is an event to talk about what matters most to you based on your experiences or based on what is happening in the world! Speak up now, and bring forward the future you want to see. Just drop by the Drawing Room on 2 March 2023 at 7pm. No registration needed!
Dinner with a Leader: Kirsty Gill, Chief People Officer, ARM 1 Mar 6.30-9.00 pm @Drawing Room (in person)
We're proud to be hosting a dinner with Kirsty Gill, Chief People Officer at ARM LTD, one of the largest tech companies in the world. Kirsty will speak about her own career journey and shares her success and war stories to illustrate how she got to be where she is today. She will also talk about her vision and passion for the future of work and how it might look like. Along the way, she will share information and tips about what large multinational corporates look for when recruiting. At the end of her talk there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
A Growth Mindset 24 February, 7:00 - 8:30pm @ Drawing Room
Led by Homerton Changemaker Ambassadors, Reyhannisa Haji, Deborah Esan, and Jesimiel Akinsuyi, in collaboration with Homerton Black & Minority Ethnic society.
Join us for an uplifting event to meet recently graduated BME almuni talk about how they overcame any difficulties they faced during their time at Cambridge as an undergraduate.
Accessing Changemaking 25 Jan 7-8.30 pm @Drawing Room (in person)
Led by our Changemaker Ambassador Vita Pearl, this is a workshop to explore how we can accommodate a range of access needs when running events and sharing information on social media. This would be ideal for anybody who organises events, or is involved with student societies and committees. No registration required, just drop by the Drawing Room shortly before 7pm!
Change in the Community 30 Jan 4-8 pm @Fellows Dining Room (This event is now fully booked)
Cambridge is the most unequal city in the UK! - the poorest 20% of our city take home just 2% of the wealth, while 19% is held by the richest 6% of residents. Local charities are doing their best to help communities who are helping families and children from disadvantaged and deprived backgrounds as well as those who are homeless.
Join Homerton Changemakers, in collaboration with HUS , MCR and our Changemaker Ambassadors for an enlightening late afternoon event on 30 Jan (4 – 8pm) where we have invited a few local Cambridge-based charities to come and give a short presentation about what their activities are and how and what type of help they need from you! There will be ample networking opportunities with these charities over pizza and beers after the presentations. Open to all students from all colleges
Michaelmas 2022/23
Self: A Changemakers mini virtual residential 6 Dec (online)
The ‘SELF’ mini-residential offers you a deep-dive into: understanding your strengths, behaviours and tendencies; honing your self-leadership skills particularly in terms of influence and power; and connecting that power your daily work so you can be less anxious and more effective. The experience includes plenaries, small group discussion, self-reflection time, creative exercises, a workshop with the Tavistock Institute (one of the UK’s leading consultancies on self and group understanding), and a panel conversation.
Changemaker Conversations Every Tuesday in term 5.15pm-6.30pm @Griffin Bar
Drinks, snacks & roundtable conversation with fellow Changemakers - learn, inspire, meet, and build a community of Changemaking practice. No booking needed - simply drop by.
Special guests - authors, medics, journalists, artists, CEOs, academics, activists - will be joining us throughout the year (details here). It's a chance to meet experienced Changemakers & have an actual conversation away from the formalities of a lecture or seminar.
Wine and Cheese evening with the JCR & MCR 23 Nov 7-9pm @Combination Room (in person) Deadline to register: 19 Nov pm
Come and join us for Wine and Cheese with the JCR & MCR! This will be the opportunity to meet fellow Changemaker students, chat to Changemaker Ambassadors & meet some of the Changemaker community. Wine, cheese and a great atmosphere all be provided. All Homerton students are welcome
An Open Mic Meeting with the MCR: Talking about what troubles us and what needs to be changed 16 Nov 7.30-8.30pm @Drawing Room (in person)
Led by Changemakers Ambassadors Eyal Cohen, Anushka Bhaskar and Najib Sharifi in collaboration with MCR. Have a drink, some food, and come and talk about what matters to you! This is an open mic meeting for everyone to address the issues and speak up! (No booking needed - simply drop by)
Get Started with your Social Enterprise 16 Nov (online)
We are sponsoring 10 places for our Changemakers students to attend a half-day online practical workshop on how to start your own social enterprise – a new business with social impact at its core. In the application form, please don't forget to mention 'Homerton Changemakers' to be eligible for the free place!
Great Group Work 3 Oct 14:00-15:30 @Fellows Dining Room
This session with Homerton Changemakers offers you a chance to learn strategies for more effective ways to be in groups - whether social, for study, or volunteering. We've taught this material dozens of times and students tell us it works - there are proven ways to increase your confidence & ability to understand others, and to achieve things effectively in groups without resorting to quick wins or unhelpful compromise.
Dinner with a Leader: a roundtable with Glenn Collinson, serial entrepreneur and non-executive director 12 Oct 6.30-9pm @Drawing Room (in person)
We're proud to be hosting Glenn Collinson, a distinguished serial entrepreneur and non-executive director of several public and private companies in the UK and France. Don’t miss out on hearing about his journey as a founder of a company that provided the world with the Bluetooth technology! He will be sharing the wins, the failures, the challenges and the obstacles. This is a small roundtable session, so numbers are limited.
Climate campaign leaders Cindy Forde & Craig Bennett in conversation 29 Sep 19:30-21:00 @North Wing Auditorium
Come and join this year's Changemaker Annual Residential students to hear two visionary activists, campaigners and leaders in conversation, Cindy Forde (Founder and CEO Planetari) and Craig Bennett (CEO, The Wildlife Trusts). Hosted by Dr Alison Wood, Director of Changemakers. Bring your questions!
A Conversation with Lord Simon Woolley 27 Sep 19:30-21:00 @North Wing Auditorium
Come and join this year's Changemaker Annual Residential students to hear Homerton's dynamic and visionary new Principal Lord Simon Woolley. In conversation with Dr Alison Wood, Director of Homerton Changemakers. Bring your questions!
Changemakers Annual Autumn Residential 25-30 Sep
Come and spend a week building transformational leadership, skills, and networks crucial for shifting the dial in our world. The Autumn residential is an intensive, immersive & multidisciplinary programme, focused on helping you develop a toolkit for life - your purpose and motivation; understanding power and how it works; an ethical, justice-focused core; and the ability to get things done and be truly impactful.
Cambridge Wireless CWTechsters programme, supported by Homerton Changemakers
Homerton Changemakers is a supporting partner for the CWTechsters programme which is designed to help boost your digital skills ( for 16-22 years old). For more information and to apply for a place for free , please visit here . Deadline is 7 Nov 2022
Changemaker Conversations. Every Tuesday in term 5.15pm-6.30pm @Griffin Bar
Drinks, snacks and conversation with fellow Changemakers. (No booking needed - simply drop by)
Changemakers Seed Fund Applications are now closed
Are you building - or planning to build - an enterprise, product, initiative, campaign, or creative project that will help move us to a more just, sustainable and regenerative future? The fund is explicitly to support ventures at the start up stage, where seed funding of this kind will make a substantive difference to the likely success of your project/product. Winning groups will be supported by intensive mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders from our industry partner Cambridge Wireless.
Modern Charisma Course 10-15 June @Skillicorn Room (in person)*
How you present & speak can be a game-changer for your changemaking ability and leadership. This sequence of 4 workshops focuses on building an authentic, persuasive public persona. Through understanding the history of rhetoric, practice in building arguments, & practical sessions on speech, breath and body, you'll learn the 'rules' of contemporary charisma so you can see through, challenge, and deploy it wisely. Led by Professor Michael Burke
*If you'd like to attend but can't because of exams etc please let us know & we can look at running the programme again in a non-exam term
Get Started with your Social Enterprise 14 June 9.30-1pm (online)
We are sponsoring 10 places for our Changemakers students to attend a half-day online practical workshop on how to start your own social enterprise – a new business with social impact at its core. In the application form, please don't forget to mention 'Homerton Changemakers' to be eligible for the free place!
Dinner with a Leader: a roundtable with Peter Cowley 26 May 7-9pm @Drawing Room (in person)
We're proud to be hosting Peter Cowley a distinguished, award-winning, serial entrepreneur and investor. Until recently Peter was the Chair of Cambridge Angels and President Emeritus of the European Business Angels Network. He'll be sharing his experiences as an entrepreneur and investor - the wins, the failures, the challenges, & obstacles - and stories of some of the start-ups he's invested in. Come to this intimate dinner to converse, learn and meet Peter and others interested in clever entrepreneurialism.
Changemakers Mentoring Scheme July-Sep 2022
An opportunity to work closely with an experienced mentor - Cambridge alumni, members of the Changemakers network - focusing on your career, aspirations, life.
An Open Mic Meeting: Celebrating Life in Words 27 April 7.30-8.30pm @Fellows Dining Room (in person)
Led by Changemakers Ambassadors Hardika Kukreja & Najib Sharifi and supported by Homerton Changemakers. Let's talk about what is troubling us and what needs to be changed. This is an open mic meeting for everyone to address the issues and speak up! (No booking needed - simply drop by)
Changemaker Conversations. Every Tuesday in term 5.15pm-6.30pm @Griffin Bar
Drinks, snacks and conversation with fellow Changemakers. (No booking needed - simply drop by)
Mind Management: Creating Change from Within, a Virtual Residential 23-24 Mar 2022 (online)
Many of us have busy, stressful lives and we also face huge planetary challenges in the form of climate emergency and pandemic disease. A major part of succeeding in this world -and making positive, profound change- is how you manage your perspectives & emotions, your thought-processes & internal narratives.
Compassionate Mind Training : Self-criticism: Does it help, or get in the way? 22 Mar 2022 10am-1pm (online)
Self-criticism can be incredibly common in high achievers and perfectionists. In this workshop you'll explore how self-criticism can feel necessary but might not be as helpful as we think.
'Disability, Activism, Allyship' A Roundtable Conversation with Elizabeth Wright 17 Feb 2022 5-6pm
Elizabeth is paralympic medalist, disability allyship consultant, editor and writer. Hear Elizabeth's story and join a compelling conversation on disability activism, allyship, & inclusion. Part of Homerton Inclusion Week (online)
Mentoring Scheme: Jan - June 2022
An opportunity to work closely with an experienced mentor - Cambridge alumni, members of the Changemakers network - focusing on your career, aspirations, life.
Compassionate Mind Training: an experiential approach, with Hilary McLellan & Dr Ashleigh McLellan 6 Dec 2021 10am-1pm
Communicate: Disrupt: Transform. A Virtual Residential 2-3 Dec 2021
A deep-dive into communications for a diffuse, disrupted era. What do you say and why? How do you say it? How do you build a campaign? What tools are the best to use, and in what context? How do you build a compelling story? Why is that important? How do you communicate well with others? Are the assumptions you hold about how and why you communicate the best sort? (Spoiler: they might not be).
Lateral Thinking: with novelist, travel writer and journalist Sarah Tucker 3 Nov 2021 4-5pm (online)
Motivation Reset: How to Sustain Motivation During Challenging Times with Sharath Jeevan 22 Oct 2021 4-6pm (Fellows Dining Room)
'Not your Usual Leadership Programme' Virtual Residential 30 Jun-1 Jul 2021
An intensive exploration of contemporary leadership, modern power & influence in the context of current systems.
Changemakers Roundtable Series 6 May & 13 May 2021 6pm
A chance to meet with Rupert Baines, serial entrepreneur and investor, to explore the how and why of a start-up journey. We're keeping this one small so you'll have scope for real conversation: but book early to secure a spot.
Project University 3 May 2021 6-7.30pm
Changemaker ambassadors Zoe Swanick and Kenji Misawa are inviting you to a roundtable to discuss The Future of University. If you could create your own University from scratch, what would it look like?
Poetry and Unknowability Workshop 28 April 2021 7-8.30pm
With Dr Mariah Whelan, Jacqueline Bardsley Poet-in-Residence, Homerton College. This workshop explores methods for incorporating poetic thinking into your study and research practice.
Entrepreneurialism, Innovation & Intrapreneurialism: A Virtual Residential 23-24 March 2021
An immersive virtual residential focused on honing your skills in building 'something from nothing', drawing on various models of innovation; exploring tools essential for leadership, and meeting standout entrepreneurs, guest faculty and coaches.
Homerton PAUSE Fortnightly Wednesdays 7-8.30pm
A discussion group with senior members of the Homerton Community on topics made more pressing by COVID-19.
Self Leadership: Exploring yourself and your relationship to leadership 17 Feb 2021 12-3pm
(in partnership with the Tavistock Institute, London)
This workshop explores the qualities that makes us unique: the skills, knowledge and experiences that each of us bring to the roles we have amongst friends and family, & when we study & work. Seeing the overlaps between those roles, and the values that define them, can be a powerful way to understand leadership in its most intersectional and diverse forms.
Visual Voices: Using arts and creativity to make change 23 & 30 Jan 2021
An experiential workshop introducing the unique approach of ‘visual voices’, a powerful research tool for illuminating challenges and creating dynamic change. Led by Dr Maja Spanu and Tim Archer.
Homerton PAUSE Fortnightly, Nov-Dec 2020
An opportunity for the Homerton Community to take time out, pause, & discuss big ideas with friends. Regular Wednesdays 7.30 - 8.30pm (online)
Lego Serious Play 10 Nov 2020
On problem solving and communicating, using real Lego! With Dr Geraint Wyn Story
Changemaker 101: A Virtual Residential 28-29 Sep 2020
A 2-day programme for Homerton students who want to make sustainable, profound change. The world needs people able to facilitate wise thinking and action at every level - personal, societal, global. Changemakers is built around the powerful yet simple idea that this is possible given the right conditions. It’s also built on the idea that there is more to be done: that we’re not usually taught how to see complexity with clarity, how to make decisions under duress, how to really connect with others. This workshop will help you develop better questions, challenge limiting assumptions, improve listening, and understand the qualities of changemaking (tools, attributes, mindsets), from making a pitch to getting to deep collaboration quickly.
Changemakers Workshop 101: 15 Jan 2020
This workshop introduces you to the principles of Homerton Changemakers covering four core areas: Changemaker Principles, Leadership, Systems Thinking and Self-Understanding.
Homerton Changemakers Lecture: 25 Feb 2020
Featuring Sue Wilkinson OBE (former CEO of The Reading Agency) who will be talking about 'Embracing Change.'
Changemakers and the Reading Agency - Think Lab Project: 23 Jan-19 Mar 2020
An eight-week programme in which multidisciplinary student teams worked on real, unsolved issues given to them by the charity The Reading Agency, run in partnership with the University's ThinkLab Project
Wine and Cheese Evening celebrating International Women's Day: 9 Mar 2020
A panel discussion organised & chaired by Changemaker Student ambassador Harriet Clark, with Professor Mary Dixon-Woods, Amika George and Dr Maja Spanu
Annual Autumn School (formerly referred to as the Residential) September 2019
A 6-day intensive focused on principles of changemaking & the tools needed for building change initiatives. 10 tutors, 15 guest teachers, 60 students, 1 pitch evening and serious fun
Testimonials
Changemakers has introduced me to a community of wonderful and inspiring people. Each Changemaker event I have attended has left me feeling energised and excited to tackle the big challenges our world is facing today. Having the right values, tools, attitude and people on my side has emboldened me to champion radical positive change.
"Homerton Changemakers is a brilliant and necessary invitation for us to raise our game as humans. To explore how to draw new maps for a world with a future.”
"Homerton Changemakers helped me realise how much push for change there currently is - the programme creates a supportive environment to channel it into proper changemaking."
"Making change by dissenting from old orthodoxies is Homerton’s DNA. At Homerton I learned how to be an agent of change rather than a passive bystander. That’s why I support Changemakers."
“Above all, I feel empowered by the opportunity that Changemakers have given me to deeply connect and exchange ideas with like-minded people of all ages and backgrounds - and a powerful reminder that it is up to our generation, each and every one of us, to make this world a better place to live in.”
