Name: Stephanie Leonard
What do you do? I am the founder of Act Build Change an online training support site for change makers. We provide anyone, anywhere access to the training and support they need to community organise – for free.
How did you get into this work? My grand-mother, Nanny Leonard, had a big influence on me. An Irish immigrant, my Nan would call out wrongs, fight for people in her council block and not take the racism she and her children experienced lightly. On winter mornings she would make sandwiches and hot drinks for homeless people, cycling them down before work and collecting the flasks on the way back. My Nan has little money but a wealthy heart and taught us all to be brave, grateful and generous. I look through the world with the eyes she shaped for me, so I believe I was always going to end up here, in justice work.
How I came to be the founder of Act Build Change, was after working in justice work for over 5 years, I grew frustrated with the lack of access to training and support for everyday people. Training that is so vital in changing the world, is often expensive, academic and based on privileged relationships with funders and charities. The people who need it most, often get left out. I believe the more people who have access to this learning and support, the more likely we are to achieving peace and justice in our world. I am building Act Build Change for everyone.
What are you most proud of? As a community organiser, I’m most proud of leading the Citizenship campaign for Citizens UK. Working with young people and others, we secured a new Deputy Mayor for Integration in London, who will support 80,000 young Londoners access their right to Citizenship. Now, as an educator and facilitator, I’m most proud of building Act Build Change. The site, recently launched and we are already reaching audiences and subscribers from all over the world. Folks from the UK, US, New Zealand and Europe are accessing the training for independent learning and to support their organisations. People are also reaching out to inform and shape how we grow and develop over the coming year. It is a very exciting time for us, and we hope you subscribe and get involved too!
What sustains you? A deep love, curiosity and belief in all people and our planet
What does social change mean to you? Social change to me, is when the people themselves decide what they want to change and are given all the opportunities to be successful in making it happen. My role is to listen and share with them everything I know, in terms of training, support and social-networks, so that they can lead in this work and win.
