Neighbours finding ways to humanise each other by making brave, respectful conversations the new normal in Devon

Room To Listen is a new community project aiming to encourage democratic, collective action by promoting a culture of listening, curiosity, and cooperation across the political and social divides.

Currently we are in the setup phase of this group! Please help at this important time in our development by signing-up to volunteer time or donate to keep us going:
https://forms.gle/V7hhJ3FPe3JMTR8X8 

Keep up to date with our goings on through our Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/roomtolisten 

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OUR AIMS:

Common Ground
We use bold public art to help neighbours see what they share and challenge stories that divide us.

Better Conversations
We promote a culture in which people think about how they talk to others, manage their emotions, and listen with empathy.

Shared Decisions
We advocate for community-led decision-making as a way to renew local democracy.

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OUR ACTIVITIES:

Our work is practical, creative, and relational. Current and developing activities include:

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Public art projects

Through our regular Art Factory sessions, we create good quality, visual materials that promote values of empathy, curiosity, and cooperation.

We create banners, patches, and prints and distribute them in public spaces, at protests, and community events.

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The Pop-Up Living Room (in development)

A street-based, welcoming setup that invites passers-by into short, facilitated conversations. 

Using playful exercises, we introduce active listening and critical thinking skills, helping people experience a respectful conversation with someone they might not usually meet.

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Support groups (in development)

Facilitated spaces to explore vulnerability, trust, and conversational resilience in areas such as masculinity, ADHD, and mental health. Brave respectful conversations.

 

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

We believe that if people can listen across differences, they can start to make sense of the political and social landscape together, rather than being pulled apart by online outrage and competing narratives.

Digital algorithms profit from keeping us isolated, emotional, and certain that other people are the problem. Room To Listen promotes a collaborative culture and creates real, human spaces where those divisions lose their power.

At the heart of our work is a simple belief that most people are just scared and that we all broadly have the same needs:

fairness, dignity, community, social support, and a real say in shaping our shared future.

 

OUR ROOTS

Our roots are in the community assembly and deliberative democracy movement in Exeter and beyond. We’ve seen first-hand what happens when people from very different political backgrounds are given the time, structure, and support to genuinely listen to one another.

In these spaces, neighbours who might usually distrust each other often come to common-sense, compassionate conclusions — even on issues that are highly divisive elsewhere. We want more people in Exeter to experience the hope and possibility that comes from that kind of collective understanding.

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WE WALK OUR TALK

Within Room To Listen we model brave, respectful, inclusive ways of organising together.

Our approach is:

• Inclusive – widening participation rather than concentrating power.

• Communicative - advocating for our needs and working to making space for the needs of others.

• Trauma‑informed – prioritising care, consent, and emotional literacy.

• Community‑led – shaped by the people who take part.

• Practical – focused on skills people can use in everyday life.

 

Get involved

Room To Listen is made by the people who show up. 

The best way to help is donate or give us regular time to take on a task.

 We’re always looking for help with things like:

• Admin and organising.

• Cooking food for meetings.

• Social media and communications.

• Digital design.

• Leafleting and outreach.

• Funding applications.

• Block printing and art‑making.

• Research and training support.

If you have time, skills, or money to offer, we’d love to hear from you.

Let us know how you can help:
https://forms.gle/V7hhJ3FPe3JMTR8X8