A Community Wheel is a free local gathering where people explore everyday questions about relationships, learn from one another and get to know people in their community. Our first locality hub is in Kendal. Our hope is that, over time, any community in the UK that wants a Wheel can find a way to start one.
The idea grew out of Dr Cathy Betoin’s work with families. She saw how much harder everyday challenges could feel when people were isolated and had few opportunities to talk and learn together, and how few opportunities there were to learn about relationship health for adult-adult and adult-child relationships. The Community Wheel takes inspiration from the familiar rhythm of Parkrun and nd from the way U3A brings people together around shared interests.
Who is a Community Wheel Session for
Community Wheel sessions are the community growing element of the I Matter Relationship health learning journey. There is an I Matter Online Community Wheel run by I Matter Training. Community Wheel Local sessions are hosted by organisations, professionals and parents who have completed a minimum of Level 2 training. They are intended for people who have completed at least a Getting Started workshop (Level 1).
You can come to the Kendal Wheel as a guest. If you’d like to come regularly, we ask you to complete one I Matter Get Started session, online or in person. It introduces the shared ideas behind the Wheel and helps you think about what’s within your influence in everyday relationships.
What happens at a Community Wheel Session?
Community Wheel sessions aim to explore the applications of relationship health and an I Matter approach to a wide range of life skills that comprise the Wheel.
We start with tea, then spin the Wheel to find a topic. Everyone can write down a question they’d like to explore. We vote on the questions, talk in pairs or threes, and come back together to share what we noticed. We finish with cake and time to chat.
How a local hub can grow
A hub can start with one small, regular gathering. As people get to know one another, they might suggest a family walk, a singing session or a making afternoon. Local clubs, churches, schools and community groups can also invite families into activities they already run. Families can join those activities directly. Children can attend under the supervision of their own parents or guardians and local groups with some activities designated for adults only and others for children or a specific age or for all ages together.
Could your organisation help?
Community Wheel sessions usually develop initially in association with schools and primary care, though once established a range of organisations can become involved.
Organisations could offer a room, welcome families to an existing activity, help cover the costs of a gathering or put forward two people who would like to learn to facilitate a Wheel.
If you’d like to run a Wheel, you will need to progress some I Matter Training first. You can start by attending some iniital events and start thinking about who might co-host with you. From there, you can prepare with I Matter Training, co-host a session and agree the practical arrangements for your first local Wheel. Together we’ll clarify who is responsible for the event, how safeguarding concerns and DBS checks will be handled and how your team can use the I Matter Community Wheel name and materials. As this is a new project some details are still being finalised.
Relationship Health Matters CIC is developing the Kendal hub and bringing local partners together. I Matter Training provides Get Started and prepares facilitators. Local host teams welcome participants and lead the gatherings.
We’re learning from the Kendal pilot about what it takes to get a Wheel started and keep it going. If you’re interested in helping in Kendal or exploring a Wheel in your area, tell us where you’re based and what you’d like to do. We’d be glad to hear from you.
Talk to us about starting a Community Wheel
