Thank you POP!
We want to say a big thank you and good luck to our friends at Plymouth Octopus Project as they transition to the next phase of their work. POP have been super supportive of Art and Energy’s work - offering advice and encouragement, plus funding which has led to lots of fun collaborative projects. In particular Simon Travers has gone above and beyond as ‘POP Funds Sensemaker’ - we wish him well in his next adventure.
Remembering back, Art and Energy’s Jenny describes how POP has been invaluable in helping her to make local connections and supporting Art and Energy to run creative climate activities in Plymouth.
“I first came across POP mid-Covid lockdown in the summer of 2020... remember how we were literally living in our bubbles? I found myself connecting online with people from all round the world, yet rarely venturing out beyond my local neighbourhood. As a newcomer to the world of creative community engagement I was feeling at a loss as to how to start to make local connections… and then someone suggested I join a POP Zoom meeting, and I found myself in a digital space with lots of friendly people who were passionate about making a positive change in the city I call home, Plymouth.
One of my memories of that first online get-together was the wide variety of issues and incredibly diverse wealth of approaches to tackling these problems… I had been oblivious to so much amazing stuff going on just down the road from me. It was a huge relief to realise that I wasn’t alone, that I really wanted to work with and support these other incredible people and projects, and that POP had the holy grail - funding!
One of the conditions with POP’s Collective funding pot was that you had to apply in collaboration with other local organisations - initially this felt like a barrier but in fact it was an amazing excuse to approach others and invite them to play (not something we get to do much as adults). But who should I approach? With Covid restrictions slightly relaxed Art and Energy prepared to exhibit the start of our Moths to a Flame project at Plymouth Art Weekender 2020. Under threat of another lockdown, wearing facemasks and with gallons of hand-sanitiser, we set up our display at Nudge’s ‘The Plot’ on Plymouth’s Union Street. Over the weekend we met (in real life!!!) so many inspiring people, including Owen from Pollenize CIC, Jane from Plymouth Scrapstore, Kate from Precious Plastics, and Liz from Rebel Botanists – all of whom were up for a collaboration. I’d misread the small print and thought we needed a minimum of 6 different local organisations… so between us we reached out further and Ash and El from Clean Our Patch and Juliette from SeaDream joined in - a range of not-for-profit groups with environmental projects and a creative approach.
We successfully applied for £5,000 to support us to work together, to share our knowledge and ideas and to develop new ways that we could encourage teenagers to join in with our causes. So that was my first POP Collective fund… I got rather hooked and over the years was part of a grand total of 6 successful collective bids. I won’t describe them all, but would like to give a special mention to the Mossy Carpet Performance – POP funded Art and Energy to collaborate with FarFlung CIC (a disability-led performance company who brought ‘The Mossy Story book’ to life through dance), and Sewcial Guild (who created beautiful costumes and props). This initial seed funding led to many more performances… but perhaps most excitingly, we’ve formed friendships having never met before I reached out to ask if they would like to be part of the bid.
The POP way of distributing funding and supporting projects has stood out as being amazing because:
Other funding opportunities force you to compete against others, but POP encourage you to reach out and form new collaborations, to learn from and support other grassroot organisations. Since forming the Plymouth Eco Collective (which grew to include the Flax project and Borrow Don’t Buy) we have come to actively advocate and promote one another – stepping in to help one another out, as our strapline says ‘Together a bigger impact’.
Success is through your peers with mechanisms for feedback built in throughout the application process - POP members vote to decide where the funding goes, plus they’re invited to offer support and advice to optimise projects. Unsuccessful projects are encouraged to adapt and reapply, with the majority returning with stronger proposals that go on to success.
Throughout delivery of your project you’re encouraged to share learning with the ‘POP Funds Sensemaker’ (Simon) who helps encourages continued evolution to strengthen impact, sharing advice and encouraging further collaboration.
Credit: Dom Moore
It’s also worth mentioning a little more about the fantastic POP get-togethers that I’ve attended. I usually cringe at the term networking… but a POP event is always worth while, whether online or in-person (especially in-person!). I’ve met so many friendly and generous people running inspirational projects. The POP team are extremely knowledgeable about all sorts of aspects of community work, and if they don’t know something they’ll connect you up with someone who does.
So why am I writing this blog now? Well, POP have recently come to the end of their Esmee Fairbairn funding which has enabled them to distribute funding to other organisations in Plymouth – they will continue to offer support in many other ways, but they are adapting and evolving and reducing their team. I feel so fortunate to have met POP when I did. In particular Simon’s taught me to be brave in sending friendly emails, knocking on doors, and asking others who’s work I admire to come out to play together!”
Thank you POP!
