Always remember:
BE Kind, BE Fair, BE Honest, BE True
and all these things will come back to you
Anon
It was a rather neat concept, we thought, when we first conceived it over a Whisky Mac one dark, cold and wet winter's evening.
A community-focused online resource, centred on local towns and - more importantly - the people in and around them. It would include, in particular, promotion of local businesses, drawing upon an inherent passion for creative marketing. It would also be a multi-faceted hub, linking to other useful sites - but quite different from all of them - with content that strongly engages and informs.
The idea was to help bring people together - people sharing with people about the things that interest them and the things that matter to them. Things from new initiatives in their towns - and who might be driving them - to what is going on in the wider world and how that might affect them. Including things of general interest, but in particular, important issues of our time not covered in the mainstream media.
Speaking of which, we know many people have become doubtful about the objectivity of the mainstream media. Many see it as captured. This being so, we wanted to rebalance the stories they tell with commentary from what we call the People's Media - where questioning thrives.
Our aim quickly widened - to include publishing stories which the mainstream media do not cover. The object being, to prompt searching questions and critical thinking about the narratives that exist.
Our aim widened yet again - to go beyond the local towns - to gain an international dimension - giving CONNECT a truly expanded reach. We will never know the positive impact this work has triggered - but are only pleased to have started something.
​So here it is. We hope you like it...
...and more important still - gain from it!
PS Do share it with other like-minded people!
The founders and lead editors of CONNECT -Helen and David.
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We believe we’re all here to help others in whatever way we are suited to. The main purpose for us all being - to leave something better and lasting behind.
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One of the proudest achievements, in our lives to date, has been improving the life chances of thousands of children in Africa. We did this by delivering 14,000 bicycles to remote schools, giving students better access to their learning.
We were working at presidential level in Africa and about to expand our programme - with the help of all the partners involved across the UK and Ireland - when something quite unexpected happened.
We had thought this mission was our life's purpose. Another mission, however, was in wait for us - and one of even greater value, as it turns out.
Joyfully, our previous mission in Africa has been taken on by others who continue the positive changes we began to make.​
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The injustices we saw happen, which caused us to change course, helped to point us in a completely different direction - the one we've explained above.
It's a direction which involves using media to promote questioning, critical thinking and informed debate. This objective goes hand in glove with exposure - that is, the exposure of
Truth, Honesty and Integrity.
It's also a direction that provides avenues for helping others in a range of different ways. Our Community Inspired Projects initiative gives one indication of what this means.
IT'S A LIFE PURPOSE THING
WE WANT YOU TO HAVE YOUR SAY
Because CONNECT is for our Communities, focused on the people in our Communities, we are prompting everyone to have their say.
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With so many changes happening in today's world, few of us can be confident our politicians are properly equipped to manage those changes. We believe it's a time for us all to be more involved in the decisions being taken that affect all of our lives.
This process begins with us all being more aware of the different narratives circulating today on all the major topics. To this end, CONNECT aims to share some of those different narratives to support and enable people's own questioning and discernment.
Beyond this, it's perhaps a good time for every Community to come together to debate these matters. Similarly, it's a good time to exercise our responsibilities - to ourselves and our children as citizens of this world - by voicing a collective commentary on what it is we desire and choose. ​​
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We all know the world is in a state of flux and will be for some time.
And because no one holds the franchise on good ideas
- and certainly not those holding the purse strings or power in parliament - we all have a part to play, every single one of us!
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So, what's yours?
Contact CONNECT
SO WHO ARE WE?
COME JOIN US IN THIS VENTURE!
​There are so many exciting and positive changes which can be achieved by people acting together!
Our own role in this process is to act as a catalyst to help make positive change happen. This is CONNECT.
If you are passionate about Community Media and Community Enhancement - centred on the fundamentals of Truth, Honesty and Integrity - we invite you to...​
