14th September 2025 at Exeter Community Centre

The September assembly was full of energy and purpose. It was great to see a room full of people committed to change, sharing ideas. Building on our earlier work developing the Exeter Community Charter and mapping our community networks, we took the next step: shaping the details of our action plan. The focus was on how to inspire people across the city to see the power of community assemblies; bringing people together across divides and sparking positive change in our neighbourhoods.

Here are some of the actions we committed to:

1 - We’ll reach out to people in their neighbourhoods by:
• Organising hyperlocal assemblies and pop-up events to increase inclusivity.
• Listening to and engaging with people through door knocking, talking at bus stops, and stalls to reach a diverse range of people.
• Getting creative and fun with engagement, both online (social media, online forums) and offline (leaflets, posters, music events) to connect with people.

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2 - We’ll link with and build on existing networks and groups:
• Utilising infrastructure - physical spaces, churches, youth clubs, community hubs and centres
• Developing our community map, created at previous assemblies
• Identifying community skills and resources that can be shared or mobilised.

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3 - We’ll create conditions in which everyone feels welcomed:
• Ensuring our spaces are welcoming and non-judgmental spaces, using accessible language and practices to include all social backgrounds.
• Addressing barriers to participation - lack of internet access, people feeling they don’t belong because of poverty, childcare or transport, and supporting areas and people who feel under-served.
• Focusing both on what people have (skills and resources), and what people need.
• Exploring options for mutual aid to help meet material needs to foster community connection.
• Intentionally reaching out to marginalised groups, (e.g. young people, prisoners, refugees, elderly), ensuring everyone feels valued and heard.

13th July 2025 at Exeter Community Centre

Elmo enjoying cookies at the assembly on Sunday 13th July 👇

While Elmo was snacking, we created an Exeter Community Charter - an outline of the most pressing issues and priorities facing our community, and our commitment to act to address them.

The Charter is the result of all the assemblies we have held since January 2024. It is a live document, open to amendment and growth through more Assemblies to come. We invite all members of the Exeter community to shape, support, organise, and rally behind its community actions and demands.

15th June 2025 at Exeter Community Centre

To find out what happened, have a look at this report kindly prepared by Mozz.

11th May 2025 at Exeter Community Centre