What is behind Link4Growth?

When Link4Growth was conceived back in 2011/12 there were certain fundamental features that were included (some have evolved since) to ensure that it remained resilient to whatever came along. 

1. Open to all
2. Flexible structure for growth
3. Not dependent on money
4. Available both online and offline
5. National coverage but locally operated
6. Owned by its members
7. Independent Association for encouraging connection and relationships
8. Sufficient income to sustain and enable the organisation to grow 
9. Part of a rich mosaic of community led organisations collaborating to co-create a new kind of future

 

The above have served the community well. During the past decade there have been many trials and tribulations but none more challenging than the lockdowns of 2020/21. 

Who knows what we will have to navigate over the coming decade, but the above provides a solid foundation on which to build a strong, very affordable platform of support to whoever needs it going forward.

Coupled with organisational resilience there are other facets that help to empower an organisation such as Link4Growth.

 

1. 7 Principles - concepts we hold to be true

It has been said many times that these 7 principles represent an unattainable list. A set of standards that no one is capable of achieving.

We all fall short of our expectations daily. It is highly likely we chastise ourselves many times throughout the day, thinking that we could have done better, we didn’t give the best we could. This is not in comparison to anyone else, it is our own internal reflections and consciousness about what we did and whether we believe it was fair, reasonable, can be justified and so on… 

The 7 principles represent a simple framework that we can align with, no judgement, just a set of tools that can help us (individually), make little adjustments, and move in a direction that would consider improving us as a human being (if we want that)

 

1. Behavioural guidelines - skills that help us in our interactions with others 

We are all from different backgrounds and have different experiences from our family upbringing, friends, schooling, university, work and the leisure activities we pursue. We interact and engage with a myriad of people from different situations and social groups (small communities)

It is no wonder that when we meet up it is easy to form opinions, likes, dislikes and judgements of others, often without even knowing we are doing it. By just being aware of some simple guidelines we are able to improve our engagement with others and improve our communities. 

People’s behaviour can vary from charismatic and confident to the complete opposite, quiet and reserved. The behavioral guidelines are a few tools that we can practice, develop and implement right across our lives whether that be online or when we meet people in person.   

 

1. Values - Ideas we hold to be important

When aligning ourselves with organisations, often we would like to know what that organisation stands for, what are you being asked to support if you wanted to be a part of it. 

The values of Link4Growth can be found via this link and they bring us together as a group that share common values and that is a great starting place.

All of the above can be found on the uk.link4growth.org website and there will be subsequent blog posts taking each of the principles individually sharing what is behind them and their relevance in the world today.