Building on Strengths: Our Journey to Lasting Community Empowerment

Starting this new chapter with Sedulous Collective CIC is both an exciting opportunity and a natural progression of the work we began with Centric Community Research. Sedulous emerged as a spin-off from the award-winning Cost of Living and Multiple Long-Term Conditions project, where we used participatory action research and creative methodologies to engage communities in sharing their lived experiences. This approach proved to be not only impactful but transformative, demonstrating the power of involving participants directly in designing better solutions and guiding decision-making. Now, with Sedulous, we’re embedding these methodologies into our business model. We believe that this community-centred, participatory approach is far more effective than traditional research models in addressing the complex challenges faced by marginalised communities. It’s an exciting time, as we build on the strong foundation laid by Centric, bringing our own unique approach to drive meaningful, lasting change.

As Managing Director of Sedulous CIC, my focus is on building strong operational foundations and setting a clear, ambitious strategic direction for this startup phase. My role is to create a sustainable framework that will allow us to grow effectively while staying true to our mission. Although I don’t necessarily believe in “systems change,” I am personally committed to advancing wealth equity and economic empowerment for marginalised groups. My goal is to equip communities with the tools and resources they need to create their own change—essentially, to teach them to fish rather than simply giving them the fish. By empowering communities to find and build their own solutions, we’re not only addressing immediate needs; we’re also laying the groundwork for lasting, transformative change that communities can continue to build on for years to come.

Sedulous is distinctive because it prioritises research and programme design that genuinely includes the voices of those we aim to serve. All too often, organisations and institutions overlook the importance of engaging marginalised communities in shaping the very services intended for them, resulting in initiatives that fall short of their goals. At Sedulous, we take a different approach: we centre our work around participatory research and co-design, ensuring that our initiatives are informed by the lived experiences of those who know their communities best. This commitment to community-led insight makes our work far more relevant, effective and impactful.

Another unique and powerful aspect of Sedulous is our team’s diversity. We are proudly female-led, ethnic minority-led, disability-led, and neurodiversity-led, representing the very communities we advocate for. This diversity is more than just a point of pride—it aligns deeply with my personal values and ensures that our advocacy is both authentic and well-informed. At Sedulous, we’re not just working on behalf of communities; we are part of those communities and that’s what makes our mission so powerful.

What excites me most about Sedulous is the opportunity to create programmes and initiatives that truly resonate with the communities we serve and focus on action rather than research for the sake of research. By grounding our work in community voices, we’re setting a new standard for effective, inclusive service design. I envision Sedulous growing as a leader in community-led research and advocacy, championing social justice and wealth equity across London. My hope is to see our impact extend into empowering communities to become active drivers of their own success. This journey with Sedulous, I believe, will reshape how services are designed, making lasting change possible.

I would love to connect with others who are passionate about community empowerment and social justice. Whether you’re interested in Sedulous’ journey, looking to collaborate, or simply want to discuss ideas for meaningful change, please feel free to reach out. Together, we can build partnerships and share insights that create a stronger, more inclusive future for all. Let’s connect to make an impact.