30 - Redeeming our Communities, 'Gunchester' to Manchester, Instrument of change, peace initiatives

Welcome back to Alongsider in conversation with Debra Green OBE, a person of great inspiration and influence. She has been described as being "very ordinary" and yet her stories reveal some extraordinary results. These are often in community settings where there is a belief that change is 'impossible'. She has a special gift for coming alongside communities to build trust and opportunity to discuss critical issues affecting local lives. This safe listening space generates collaboration across cultures, organisations and neighbours. She characterises the common traits of these groups as being people of 'goodwill'. This sees a letting go of the need to control and allows transformation to happen. Like 'Gunchester' reclaiming and taking its place and real identity as Manchester, where she is now Deputy Lieutenant. Anyone who seeks to bring about positive change in their community, institutions or workplace will be moved to good action by Debra's inspiring and practical approach. This really is an Alongsider story for our times and acts as an antidote to the current, seeming lack of innovation and new ideas. Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious and brings about a rising belief that together local challenges can be faced and impacted significantly. Alongsider is in conversation with Debra Green OBE, a person of great inspiration and influence. She has been described as being "very ordinary" and yet her stories reveal some extraordinary results. These are often in community settings where there is a belief that change is 'impossible'. She has a special gift for coming alongside communities to build trust and opportunity to discuss critical issues affecting local lives. This safe listening space generates collaboration across cultures, organisations and neighbours. She characterises the common traits of these groups as being people of 'goodwill'. This sees a letting go of the need to control and allows transformation to happen. Like 'Gunchester' reclaiming and taking its place and real identity as Manchester, where she is now Deputy Lieutenant. Anyone who seeks to bring about positive change in their community, institutions or workplace will be moved to good action by Debra's inspiring and practical approach. This really is an Alongsider story for our times acts as an antidote to the current, seeming lack of innovation and ideas. Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious and brings about rising belief that together local challenges can be faced and impacted positively.