Reflections on Anthropy 2025
Last week I had the privilege of attending Anthropy at the Eden Project with two of our Youth Steering Group members, Jayden and Elliott. It was a beautiful opportunity to deepen our connections with FEA members and expand our thinking and networks. The timing was perfect as we shape our next five-year strategy, and I’m looking forward to discussing these reflections with you at our upcoming strategy workshops.
What is needed to shift mental models?
This was a hot topic. We know that shifting mental models—the assumptions, beliefs and values that we hold—can have a ripple effect in systems change, influencing our relationships, power, practice, policy and resource flow. There was a buzz around the need for better storytelling in order to help people prioritise the issues we care about. But a session on the Welsh Wellbeing of Future Generations Act offered a different angle. One participant pointed out that, when it comes to climate, “we’ve been “raising awareness for decades, yet it feels like no-one is listening”. We hear similar frustrations from members about educational inequity. Communications are a vital part of our collective approach to shifting mindsets, but I don’t think they are sufficient on their own. I’m keen to explore how we use other levers - such as an experience (practice) or diverse connections (relationships) – to help us influence mental models in deeper, more lasting ways.
How are we encouraging risk?
Many of the initiatives that you lead started by taking a risk. The FEA did, too. And yet our systems often push us to reduce, mitigate and avoid risks. I believe that it is crucial that we embrace and actively encourage strategic risk taking. It takes brave leadership to challenge the status quo and supporting one another to hold and share risk will be key in our collective success in addressing entrenched challenges.
How do we get out of our bubble?
Anthropy coincided with the Spring Statement and the release of updated government figures on poverty – revealing a rise in child poverty to 4.5 million, with a further 50,000 children expected to be pushed into poverty due to welfare cuts.
One panellist introduced me to the phrase “I’m alright, Jack” – a stark reminder of a mindset that allows inequality to persist. They shared that if we’re serious about change, that mindset has to shift. In education, one of the most powerful ways to do this is through meaningful youth engagement. My experiences listening to young people were the highlights of Anthropy for me - first, hearing from primary school students who shared their inspiring journey in political activism; and second, the privilege of sharing conversation over three days with Jayden and Elliott. Both experiences shaped my thinking, and I’ll be incorporating them into our work.
I encourage all of us to find ways to stretch or get out of our bubble – to stay grounded in the reality that many children and young people face, and to build strategy and action with them, not just for them.
“Anthropy was such a unique experience that I am so grateful I got a chance to take part in. I haven't been to anything like it before, and to be surrounded by so many other people and businesses who want to make a positive change to the world was truly inspiring, especially when talking to the other young people there. There was still a lot of focus on how changes can be the most profitable, which was unsurprising, but slightly disappointing nonetheless. However, there was a strong emphasis on young people leading the way, and an attempt to put the young people at the forefront of the events was made, although there is always room for improvement. Coming away from this event, I see that there are people in positions of power and influence who want to hear young people’s voices, who want to embolden their visions of change. I have taken it as a sign to be bold in putting myself out there, making my voice heard, and I wholly encourage you to do the same.”
– Elliot, FEA Youth Steering Group member
“I had such an amazing time with Gina and Elliot. Anthropy was amazing and it started lots of conversations after we left. Gina was an absolute delight, she is such a ray of sunshine and so caring and understanding!”
– Jayden, FEA Youth Steering Group member
