Build A Better Future: Conversations for Change (Workshop)

Inspired by Gina Martin's "No Offence But..."

It's more important than to ever speak out for the things we believe in! But how do we continue to speak calmly and compassionately with people we disagree with, or worse, seem to be actively trying to antagonise us? How about challenging those closest to us? 

This will be practical workshop chock full of case studies, group discussion and opportunities to literally practice practicing what you preach. We will share and build skills and strategies to keep the conversation on some of society’s most urgent topics from being derailed.

Inspired by Gina Martin's brilliant book "No Offence But..." How to Have Difficult Conversations for Meaningful Change, we will tackle some of the most enduring conversation stoppers, (think "not all men" or "I don't see colour"), equipping participants with knowledge, tools and context to respond with confidence. The book is an empowering roadmap for changing the conversation on social justice issues, packed full of excellent texts, tools and case studies from other trailblazing writers, educators and advocates including Aja Barber, Cathy Reay, Charlie Craggs, Azadeh Hosseini, Nova Reid and Salma El-Wardany. 

Together we will share experiences, ideas and practical processes to unpick some of these insidious phrases, address their harm and feel empowered to continue and change the tone of the conversation rather than letting it be disrupted! Please note this session will be in person only. 

Facilitated by feminist writer, activist and creator of Manosphere: Debunked Aileen Barratt (@tindertranslators) and Girl Gang Manchester Artistic Director Megan Marie Griffith, we look forward to creating a welcoming, accessible and hopefully useful space!

Please note, the book is absolutely brilliant, so do give it a read if you can! However, reading the book isn’t essential to be able to participate in the workshop. We recommend bringing a pen and paper to note down some useful action points to hold on to, and if you do have a copy of the book you might like to bring that too!

Facilitator Bios:

Aileen Barratt is a feminist writer and activist, and the creator of the @tindertranslators Instagram page. Aileen's podcast Manosphere: Debunked addresses disinformation spread by extremist misogynists and how it has seeped into the mainstream. She focussed on addressing sexism and bad-faith arguments with nuance and compassion, whilst leaving space for both anger and humour. Her 2022 book Tinder Translator: An A-Z of Modern Misogyny has been published in three languages.

Megan Marie Griffith is a theatre director, events producer, curator and facilitator and the founder, Artistic Director and Executive Producer of Girl Gang Manchester. She has spent over a decade instigating, nurturing and co-captaining creative communities and has facilitated anti-racism and Build a Better Future Book Club co-learning sessions for; Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race, White Fragility and Radical Intimacy as well as adapting the BABF series for children for Just So Festival and The South Bank Centre. She has worked with a broad range of communities and run young people's workshops in Confidence and Resilience, Introduction to Activism and Finding Your Purpose.

Writer Bio:

Gina Martin is a multi-award winning gender equality activist; writer, speaker and facilitator who educates, advocates and inspires. Gina’s influential work has been recognised with numerous awards including TIME’s 100Next Influential People and Evening Standard’s 1000 Most Influential People In London. She was also named Cosmopolitan's Disrupter of the Year, was honoured by Stylist as one of its Remarkable Women of the Year, and received The Praeses Elit Award , to name a few.She rejected an OBE during the Queen's Birthday Honours 2020, citing the history of violence of the British Empire.

Build A Better Future Series:

Originally founded as an anti-racism book and then media club through 2020-2022, we broadened our focus to include a range of marginalised identiies, experiences and important social and political focal points, renaming the group as Build A Better Future Book Club in 2023. In 2025, we are expanding the series to incorporate a range of workshops, outings and talks to continue to integrate our co-learning and community. We hope this group will provide a space and build a community for education, discussion and reflection. 

Where possible we will invite facilitators with lived experience of the topic to provide stimulus and co-moderate discussions with our team- we choose to share the role of facilitation to share both the power and responsibility within the space.The club meet on the final Thursday of every other month and sessions will now be 2 hours long to create space for lengthier discussions and action point check ins and outs at the start and end of each session.

Book Club/discussion based sessions are run as in-person/online hybrid event delivery to maintain some of the increased accessibility lockdown instigated, but we would also like to build community and action around this group - so encourage people to come down in person if they can!

We intend to maintain a long term, consistent space for people to take personal responsibility and communal accountability for their allyship and coalition learning, creating a space for reflection, discussion and to hear from other voices. The group is always open to new members, or returning ones, so we’d love for you to join us!

If you would like to facilitate a future Build A Better Future book club, workshop or event or have an idea for a book that you think we should feature please drop us a message at hello@girlgangmcr.com.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHO IS BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR:

The sessions are open to people of all genders/races/sexualities/classes/disability inclusive - if you have any specific accessibility needs in regard to the sessions, please let us know and we’ll do our very best to accommodate. For parents, single Mums, and those with a legitimate reason to be late, don’t worry we will still let you in the room! For everyone else, please try to be on time if you can so we can all be a part of the full conversation where possible.

This is a space for everyone - though we would like attendees to be aware that participants may be at different stages of their personal educational journeys. We must be prepared to push one another and address our own shortfalls to get the most out of the sessions, valuing the voices with experience, if they wish to attend.

Access info: 

Refund policy: Paying for a ticket funds freelance artists, creatives and facilitators and helps support Girl Gang Manchester in continuing to run events. All tickets are non refundable and non transferable.

Girl Gang Manchester’s events aim to be as inclusive as possible. This event is open to people of all genders, ages, races, sexualities, and classes. All are welcome, please see specific access information below.

Accessibility information:

• The room will be lit with normal lights. There will be a projection screen for zoom participants and potentially a power point presentation.
• We won’t be using strobe lighting for this event.
• All gender toilets are provided.
• Seating will be available throughout the event.
• We happily offer free tickets for personal access assistants, please email us at girlgangmanchester@gmail.com to arrange this. Registered assistance dogs are also welcome!
• Specific COVID guidance can be found below.
• A Girl Gang Manchester team member will greet you as you enter the event space and will be available as a point of contact throughout the event if you require anything.

If you have any other access requests or worries, please contact us at hello@girlgangmcr.com. We are super proud that our events and club nights are welcoming and that there are always people who feel comfortable to attend on their own.

COVID-19 Guidance:

Though we no longer have any specific COVID-19 guidelines in place at our events, it is our expectation that you as a member of our community exercise personal responsibility in that you do not attend if you knowingly have COVID or any other contagious disease, or if you have knowingly had contact with a positive case.

Why do we ask identity questions?

We want to make our events as inclusive as possible and we often get questions from people who for whatever reason say, ‘I really want to come but I am nervous, will I be the odd one out?’ Whilst we will always strive to do our best to make everyone feel welcome, it is useful to know a little more about who our audience is for each event so we can be honest in our responses to any queries. It also helps us tailor events for the people attending and identify who we aren’t currently reaching with our work.

This data really helps us, please answer any questions you feel comfortable with. If you do not want to share this information, please leave it blank. More information can be found on our Privacy Policy.