About us
Our Mission
Our Values
Our Vision
Through trauma-informed workshops that centre joy, rest and connection, we help activists, humanitarians and charity people stay rooted, resourced and resilient, because movements thrive when no one is left to carry it alone.
A world which prioritises the wellbeing of activists, so activists can continue prioritising the wellbeing of the world.
🌞Creativity
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🌞Collaboration
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🌞Community
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🌞Courage
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Why do activists need wellbeing support?
1 in 23 people globally needs humanitarian assistance and protection.
The demand on charity and humanitarian organisations is monumental.
When our job requires us to support with traumatic, upsetting and emotive situations, our own challenges can feel irrelevant in comparison. This means we often diminish or ignore our own mental health concerns. ​
94%
of charity workers in the UK say they feel stress, overwhelm & burnout
(Third Sector, 2021)
52%
of UK charities want the government to do more to support mental health
(Onepoll, 2021)
93%
of humanitarian workers who experience mental health conditions attribute it to their jobs
(Global Development Professionals Network, 2015)
44%
of charity leaders have considered quitting due to burnout
(Onepoll, 2021)
Why self-care?
While our work can be undeniably fulfilling, it is crucial to recognise the potential strain on our mental wellbeing.
The nature of our roles exposes us to a range of stressors, such as witnessing distressing events, functioning in high-pressure environments, and managing with limited resources.
These factors often result in burnout, compassion fatigue, and an increased vulnerability to mental health issues. It is imperative for us to give priority to our mental wellbeing and embrace methods to support ourselves and our colleagues.
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Above all, self-care is essential. We need to understand that attending to our own needs is not self-centred but rather vital for us to continue our work. This may involve establishing boundaries, practicing mindfulness or meditation, engaging in physical activities, and ensuring we allocate time for rest.​
The Joyful Activists is a community for us to share our experiences and emotions, where we can diminish the stigma surrounding mental health and promote healing and connection.
We know it's likely that you love your work, and sometimes need to rest from it. Connecting with fellow activists who understand the unique challenges we encounter can offer a sense of unity and validation.
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It is only by caring for ourselves that we can genuinely care for others. Come and look after your wellbeing with us.​
Our Approach
At The Joyful Activists, we know that to create lasting change in the world, we need to start by taking care of ourselves. Personal wellbeing isn’t a luxury - it’s essential if we’re going to sustain our efforts to challenge injustice and build more compassionate systems. That’s why our approach weaves together three strands - individual, organisational, and systemic - because nurturing ourselves gives us the strength and resilience to make an impact far beyond ourselves.
Individual
We support you to care for your individual wellbeing and create space in your life for rest, play and connection. Through somatic workshops, personal development sessions, and community circles, we nurture resilience and inspire each other to become joyful agents of change.
Organisational
We support organisations to build cultures where care, connection, and purpose come first. We know that thriving teams are grounded in both individual and collective wellbeing. We love to co-create workshops spaces to explore what wellbeing means in your workplace, so your team can feel valued, heard, and supported.
Systemic
True transformation requires challenging and reshaping the systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice. We work collaboratively to advocate for policies, practices, and movements that centre joy and justice. By building networks and amplifying community voices, we strive for systemic change that uplifts everyone.
Our Principles
Research-led
Our founder Katy is undertaking an MA in Education, Gender and International Development, with a focus on peace and conflict, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Education in Emergencies (EiE). All of our workshops are curated in alignment with academic research on wellbeing and psychological safety, and our strategic direction is outlined in a detailed Theory of Change.
Trauma-informed
Katy is a trauma-informed practitioner, holding qualifications in Thrive (neuroscience, child development & attachment theory), Trauma-Informed Doula Education (birth and postnatal), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Perinatal Mental Health, Child Protection and Advanced Safeguarding, Psychological First Aid, Mindfulness in Schools, Human Rights, Playwork & Early Years, and Teaching in Post-Compulsory Education.
She has worked therapeutically with pregnant women and birthing people, children, adolescents and their families experiencing domestic violence, human trafficking, modern slavery, FGM, incarceration and displacement.
Decolonial & anti-racist
We are committed to collaborating with activists and organisations to decolonise the humanitarian and aid sector, and dismantle the roots of racist and patriarchal systems that cause inequality and significant psychological distress. Our work endeavours to uphold anti-racist practice at all times. We actively welcome constructive feedback if you see areas of development in our anti-racist practice.
