Changemaker Residency

Supporting Bold Innovators

The solutions to the societal, cultural, and environmental challenges we face are bound to come from bold, innovative thinkers. Alongside our artist residencies, which we have been running for several years, we are offering additional residencies to support changemakers. These week-long, funded residencies are open to individuals or organisations who are working to transform the world.

Based in beautiful surroundings near Stroud, in southwest England, Hawkwood’s residencies offer a period of project incubation, allowing changemakers to focus entirely on the development of their work, away from the demands of everyday life and within a relaxing environment. By supporting changemakers, Hawkwood aims to promote social and ecological justice and foster new ways of thinking and being, to catalyse positive change for the future.

Giving Back & Community Involvement

When applying, keep in mind that we are looking for changemakers who are excited to be engaged. We interview our changemakers for our Stories that Matter podcast series so people can learn about their work and/or we arrange discussion groups or talks for our local community.

Residencies can be used for:

The creation of new projects
The expansion of existing work

Our residencies have the intention to support social entrepreneurs, researchers or anyone who is working to harness the power of ideas in order to create positive social change or protect our planet.

The residency invites thinkers, innovators, practitioners, and others whose work is grounded in:

Social Change
Social Justice & Equity
Ecology

Residency Details

Changemakers are provided with full bed and board plus working space for one week, Monday – Friday. If appropriate, we offer the opportunity to showcase work as part of our events programme, and we can host informal exhibitions.

Please note that there is no deadline for applications. All are only reviewed and are offered as and when funding is available. Please also note that we are unable to support any aspect of political activism.

If you have any queries, please email info@hawkwoodcollege.co.uk

Featured Changemaker:

Michelle Preston

Michelle Preston is a Change Maker, Positive Psychologist and Coach, as well as a conference host, facilitator, and workshop leader. Given Fellowship of the RSA (Royal Society of Arts) “in light of exceptional work and longstanding commitment to supporting organisations that deliver social change” she is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, twice elected RSA Fellowship Councillor for the South West, a Fellow of the School of Social Entrepreneurs and named as one of five women changing the world by the RSA in 2018 for International Women’s Day.

Michelle has been following a lifelong path of personal development, wellbeing and social change and spent her adult life working with charitable organisations committed to the physical, social, emotional and psychological wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Working in the Voluntary Sector for 25 years has provided her with countless opportunities to support and enhance the wellbeing of individuals, organisations and communities. It has allowed her to develop and deepen her understanding of the value and importance of cultivating happiness, health and wellbeing and how this can be maintained, enhanced and improved.

South West RSA Fellows: Seed Funding

In April 2019, Hawkwood was granted a Catalyst grant of £2,000 to support 4 changemakers and South West RSA fellows. It was a wonderful opportunity for the fellows to strengthen the network and make new connections. In addition, two further fellows who had applied to our wider residency programme took part of this residency supported by our crowdfund from 2018. The idea behind these residencies was to allow changemakers the opportunity to harness their ideas in the calm atmosphere of Hawkwood, and unique to this partnership was the opportunity for group working and facilitated peer learning processes.

“Thank you RSA and Hawkwood. I am now emboldened, launched and primed.”