Thoughts
The time for ethical storytelling is now
Last week, Refugee Action brought together over 100 charities to send a letter to the Labour Home Secretary with the following message:
Stop blaming migrants and tackle the UK’s real problems.
What I like best about this message is its ambition; more than a counterargument, it seeks to change the whole conversation. But you can’t deny the emotional power of anti-migrant narratives. So what can the charity sector do to reclaim emotional storytelling for social good?
Charities need to find their climate voice more than ever
Yes, it’s getting hotter all the time, but, according to government research, people are caring less. At the same time, corporations and politicians are variously seeking to distract, lead and mislead the narrative on climate change.
So how can environmental charities find their voice in our cluttered and polarising information landscape?
Storytelling for Small Charities: A Lesson from Peru
My first experience of working with small purpose-led organisations was in 2010, 11,000 feet above sea level. Cusco, Peru, to be precise.
Never Trust a Storyteller
Good storytellers know how to push your buttons. They can make you laugh, and they can make you cry. They'll have you seething with frustration or overwhelmed with empathy. Good storytellers have the power to change the world.
Children’s Stories, Charity Stories, and Emotional Punches
What is it about children’s stories and the darkest reaches of human nature? Like purpose-led storytelling, they engage our moral consciences.
Storytelling and Why I Believe in Fairies
Most people may claim not to believe in fairies. But when push comes to shove, they’d rather not risk upsetting them.
Ten Tips for Unlocking Emotional Stories in Interviews
When interviewing people on the front line of our public services, getting to what they really feel can be tricky. Especially when they’re men.
‘Partygate’ and the Art of Good Storytelling
For a story to connect with its audience, it needs to be well told. You can have the perfect story structure, the most inspiring lead character and a beautifully evocative theme. But they are nothing without a good storyteller to share them.