Over seven years, we initiated and hosted The RAW Network – it emerged from raising new questions that were not in the mainstream - they resonated with many and were at the leading edge of practice – those who answered the call joined in a cross-sector learning and action partnership involving 15 organisations from digital, housing, manufacturing, retail, finance, legal, and health sectors.

The initiative brought together people from senior leadership, HR, and learning and development to explore how resilience, adaptability, and wellbeing could become embedded as shared cultural strengths rather than individual responsibilities. Through in-person gatherings, webinars, virtual check-ins, peer visits, and buddying, the group built a trusted space for challenge, insight, and co-creation.

Meeting regularly, the partnership became a space to:

• Share emerging practices and lived experience

• Test collaboratively new approaches

• Support through complex and uncertain times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Co-generate a shared manifesto to inspire and promote good practice across sectors

The project offered vital connection and reflection during times of uncertainty and evolved into a mature, peer-based network where participating organisations increasingly embedded these principles into their learning cultures. After a seven-year cycle, we brought the initiative to completion — many of the initial issues had become mainstream and the work had taken root and was being carried forward by each organisation.

The RAW Network remains a powerful example of what becomes possible when organisations commit to learning together in the spirit of openness, experimentation, and mutual support.

Our RAW manifesto sets out the resilience, adaptability and wellbeing elements that are central to our RAW work.

We asked Dame Sally Dicketts her thoughts on one element of the manifesto, which is how important it is to CREATE FREEDOM in the work place (see short film below).