Welcome Back…
It’s been a while since I last wrote here….actually 5 years today…Back in 2020, this blog emerged as a space for me to share insights, reflections, and resources during a time when the Third Sector was under immense pressure. Like many working in community development and engagement, I was fully immersed in the COVID response, supporting local organisations and amplifying the #NeverMoreNeeded message.
Since then, things have changed for all of us. I’ve stepped back, taken time to reflect, and stepped into new ways of working that feel both meaningful and creatively fulfilling.
These days, I work freelance as a consultant supporting Local Authorities and communities through Community Action Plans, Local Place Plans, and meaningful community engagement processes. My focus remains on amplifying local voices and co-producing solutions that work on the ground.
But alongside this, I’ve stepped more fully into another passion: visual thinking and creative communications.
I’ve decided to breathe new life into this blog for three reasons:
(True confession: I meant to move this blog onto my main website before the hosting renewal came up, but I missed the window and here we are – signed up for another year. I’m taking that as a sign to dust it off and make the most of it.)
- To Share Insights – From grassroots engagement to visual facilitation, I want to share what’s working (and what’s not) in community development and creative strategy.
- To Showcase Visual Work – Graphic facilitation, design for the third sector, and creative ways to communicate ideas.
- To Open Conversations – I’d love to reconnect with others working in community development, social impact, and visual thinking.
Looking Ahead…
In the coming months, you’ll see posts about:
- How visual thinking supports community planning
- Case studies on graphic facilitation for Local Place Plans
- Tips for small nonprofits to tell their story visually
- Reflections on localism, participation, and sector trends
I’ll also be sharing pieces about my pursuit of a healthier work-life balance. With full retirement about ten years away, I’m becoming more mindful about how I spend my time focusing on meaningful, positive projects as I move towards a semi-retired phase.
Thanks for sticking around or for joining me for the first time. I’m excited to start sharing again with a fresh perspective, renewed creativity, and a marker in hand.
–-Jacky Niven
Visual Thinker | Community Engagement Consultant | Graphic Facilitator