Welcome and Introduction

‘Resourcing Solidarity’ has been developed to support reflexivity among those involved in activism and volunteering. Inspired by writers and activists working at the intersections of feminism, ecology, decoloniality and more, the material invites self-focus with a view to resourcing solidarity-in-practice.

As you engage with the 4 sections, expect to gain new perspective, expand what it is you pay attention to, and feel encouraged to continue in your work. 

In terms of how to engage: As a start, we invite you to work your way through the 4 sections in sequence. After that, feel free to keep looping back to the materials, such as videos, articles and the journal prompts. Indeed, there is no closure at the end of the 4 sections – you will only find an invitation to loop back again, when and if you feel the need to. Our contexts change constantly, and it’s likely you will have a different experience with the materials when engaging with them for a second or third time.

‘Resourcing Solidarity’ is an ongoing project of Comhlámh’s Training and Education Team. Contributors to date are Sive Bresnihan, Julia Haimlinger and Bronwyn April.

Sive Bresnihan

With a background in international development and volunteering, Sive has worked in the field of non-formal education for the past 10 years. Drawing on her own activism journeys, Sive is interested in education that nurtures awareness (of self, of structures of oppression) and imagination. Sive is from Ireland and lives in Leitrim with her cat, Fiadh and 3 sweet hens.

Julia Haimlinger

Julia’s background is in education and international development. Julia is involved in different activist spaces in Dublin and is interested in nurturing relationships and networks and organising for change. Julia is originally from Austria but has found her home in the North of Dublin.

Bronwyn April

The length of time it takes you to move through the 4 sections will depend on your engagement with the materials, including how long you spend on journaling. That said, we estimate that each section takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to work through on first go. We recommend putting at least this amount of time aside for each section to make the most out of what is there.

The thematic sections are all structured in the same way:

• Introductory provocation
• Toolbox – Here you will find a video introducing a tool/ framework that is relevant to the topic; the videos range in length, depending on what is being introduced; the videos have a reflective element built in and invite you to pause along the way and take notes
• Resource Dive – A compilation of 3-4 resources relevant to the topic (reading, viewing and listening) which you are invited to engage with alongside accompanying tasks and journal prompts
• Closure 

You are invited to journal throughout this learning journey. Indeed, one of the things we would ask you to prepare now is a journal and a pen or pencil.

Why journaling? As a solo practice, journaling helps to open space for critical thought and reflection (also expression of feeling). Research also shows that writing with pen and paper (as opposed to typing) opens up possibility for more creativity – swirls, shapes, flourishes. We’d encourage you to explore this – write in different sizes; consider drawing as well as writing; use pens, crayons, even collage; create images or build notes around key words. Tune into what wants to come.

Tip: If you ever feel a bit stuck with the journaling, one tip is to keep your pen moving and see what comes (a stream of consciousness!). Never worry about spelling mistakes or what other people might think, it’s only for you. This is your own private place to express, discuss and create.