Welcome to Third Sector Talk
Home of Behind the Pens – reflections on creativity, connection and community.
When I first started this blog, it was simply a way of keeping conversations going at a time when we couldn’t always meet face to face.
A lot has changed since then.
The work has evolved. I’ve evolved. And it felt like this little corner of the internet deserved to evolve too.
These days I spend much of my time working alongside communities, charities, local authorities and partnerships, helping people think together. Whether that’s exploring ideas, solving problems or shaping the future of the places they care about, every conversation begins in much the same way… Some days that means facilitating a room full of people. Other days it means standing in front of a wall with a handful of pens, trying to capture the conversations unfolding around me.
Somewhere between those moments, ideas begin to take shape.
They don’t always belong in reports, presentations or project updates. Sometimes they deserve a little more space to breathe, and that’s where this blog comes in.
Behind the Pens is where I pause to explore the thinking behind the work. Sometimes it starts with a sketch. Sometimes it’s something someone said that stays with me long after the meeting has finished. Sometimes it’s a quiet moment walking the dog, spending time with Mystic, or simply sitting with a coffee while the ideas settle.
I’m endlessly fascinated by the things that help people connect, think together and see familiar challenges from a different perspective. Those moments don’t only happen in meeting rooms or workshops. They can happen anywhere.
Over the years, I’ve learned that making thinking visible isn’t just about drawing pictures. It’s about creating the space for conversations that might not otherwise happen, helping people recognise shared ideas, and finding clarity in what can sometimes feel complex or overwhelming.
That’s what you’ll find here.
Reflections on creativity.
Thoughts on community and place.
Stories from behind the pens.
And occasionally a little inspiration from horses, art, music or whatever else happens to leave its mark along the way.
So, whether you work in community development, the voluntary sector, local government, or you’re simply someone who enjoys exploring ideas from a slightly different angle, I hope you’ll find something here that makes you pause, smile or perhaps look at things a little differently.
Thank you for stopping by.
I’m looking forward to seeing where the conversation leads.
Jacky