Our Story
Together for Change is a dynamic social enterprise rooted in grassroots activism, community development, and campaigning. We have grown from local action into a national organisation, championing place-based community-led change across Wales.
We began in Pembrokeshire, where we brought communities came together to shape a vision for stronger, more resourceful local action. In 2020, we secured funding to support this work, co-producing strategies, strengthening the evidence and testing new approaches to supporting community wellbeing. We secured further funding in 2022. Since then, our work has grown from local to regional and is now national in scope. We work in partnership and collaborate with others to turn good ideas into tangible, sustainable change.
We bring people together to link policy, research, and action – making sure that community voices are heard by decision makers and that grassroots organisations have the support they need to thrive. Too often, good ideas get stuck and are not implemented. We work to change that.
Our approach is based on sharing knowledge, experience, and ideas through:
Partnership and collaboration
by bringing together communities, policymakers and researchers to co-create solutions for stronger communities across Wales.
Research and evidence
by ensuring that research and evaluation form the bedrock of good policies and action that is likely to succeed.
Sustainability and innovation
by supporting long-term, community-led partnership projects that create lasting change.
Community-led action is thriving in Wales, building on our history of mutual support and strong local identities. We believe that when communities lead the way, we can reduce inequalities, strengthen social justice, and help people live well.
Our team
Jessie Buchanan
Director
I ensure everything we do at Together for Change makes a difference and is coordinated with our many partners. I believe in the power of working together towards a common goal as good relationships are at the heart of effective community development. I am passionate about finding sustainable solutions to the climate and ecological crisis which is crucial to the wellbeing of society and influences our ability to tackle inequalities relating to health both locally and globally.
Sue Denman
Chair of Directors
I work with the Team to set the direction of Together for Change and design and evaluate projects in partnership with others. I am passionate about building community power and strength for a better life for all. We need a new way of thinking about wealth – one that is more evenly distributed and is mindful of the effects our actions on future generations. I have a professional background in research and development in public health spanning the private and public sectors. Professor Emeritus at Cardiff University.
Amy Nicholass
Community-led Action Research Facilitator
I am the full time Community-led Action Research Facilitator for the Rural Wales Local Policy and Innovation Partnership. I support communities across Wales to increase their knowledge about topics important to them so that they can take action and make a change. I have a background in project and event management and network coordination in sustainability and environmental science-based topics. Along with other volunteers I enjoy running a successful Repair Café where I live.