Nationwide Reassemble! July’s Nationwide Forum

Nationwide – Leading the future of FitzRoy

At this month’s Nationwide forum, people supported by FitzRoy came together not just to be heard, but to lead.  Nationwide has always been a space for connection and collaboration, but this meeting marked a huge turning point for the group, as members developed a clear new strategy that puts people at the centre of FitzRoy’s future.  Nationwide is a platform where people influence the decisions that shape their lives.

Nationwide is more than a meeting

Nationwide members agreed that what makes this group special isn’t just meeting others, it’s being part of real change. Members want to be actively involved in decision making, sharing their experience, and contributing ideas that improve support for everyone.

Stephen summed it up:

Nationwide gives me the chance to speak up, share ideas, and make new friends. It’s helped me feel confident.

A clear strategy for impact

Members focused on what Nationwide should be and do. Members called for:

• Real, timely change backed by commitment from FitzRoy leaders
• Better inclusion, including accessible communication and clarity around Nationwide’s purpose
• Decision-makers at the table to listen, act, and be accountable
• True partnership with trustees to influence key decisions from the start

Together, members agreed, Nationwide should function as a strategy group, not just a place for feedback, but a space to co-produce solutions. It is a new look for Nationwide and an important one.

The new Nationwide will have an agreed membership and roles, with a commitment to listening and connecting across FitzRoy.

Connecting across FitzRoy

The Regional Forums were celebrated as a vital way to hear more voices. Nationwide wants everyone supported by FitzRoy to have the opportunity to shape change.

Long term Nationwide member Graeme said:

There should be ways for everyone who is part of FitzRoy to have their say. The regional forums have now started again in FitzRoy, and give other people a chance to have their point of view and voice heard. People need to be able to come together across the four regions and say how they feel about how things are working in FitzRoy.

Nationwide will make sure that their voices lead to visible change.

Tackling big issues, together

Members explored topics that matter deeply to them:

• There was strong energy for creating Green Champions and running sustainability competitions – fun, purposeful, and future-focused.
• Words matter. Members urged everyone to use people’s names and avoid dehumanising labels. As Turran put it: “You could just use my name!”

What’s next?

The first meeting of the new look Nationwide!

Stephen said:

Our new Nationwide membership is ten members, we will be writing the role of a Nationwide member at our first meeting. We will each have an ID card for our Nationwide members. We are looking forward to our first meeting.

This represents more than recognition, it’s a step toward further embedding their experiences in strategic decision-making at FitzRoy.

The forum ended with a united vision

Members agreed together: “Nationwide should be a group of people working in partnership with FitzRoy’s leaders and trustees to shape what needs to happen, and how we make it happen.

We want real change, and we want it to start now.

This forum wasn’t just a meeting. It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people are truly heard and included. With every conversation, every shared dream and every idea voiced, people continue to lead the way in shaping their future, one that reflects their values, hopes, and ambitions.