Introducing Project Ignite
Your Community, Your Power.
"A small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." – Margaret Mead
Sheffield, the City of Steel, has always been a place of resilience, innovation, and community spirit. Today, on the first day of 2025, we’re excited to share something extraordinary that aligns with our shared vision for a more connected, compassionate, and creative city: Project Ignite. The project is to support transformation from the ground up by recognising and harnessing the incredible strengths that already exist within our communities.
What is Project Ignite?
Project Ignite isn’t just an initiative; it’s a movement that seeks to reimagine how we connect, collaborate, and create change. Inspired by global success stories like the Grameen Bank’s microloan revolution and Todmorden’s Incredible Edible project, this effort is grounded in the belief that even the smallest actions can ripple outward to transform entire systems.
At its core, Project Ignite builds on three principles:
Connection: True connection builds trust, empathy, and collaboration.
Creativity: A willingness to experiment and embrace novelty powers innovation.
Community: Strong, resilient communities create the foundation for systemic change.
Why Sheffield?
Sheffield is uniquely placed to lead this movement. With its deep-rooted sense of solidarity and our own Love Sheffield network of over 24,000 members, the city embodies the spirit of grassroots transformation. From Kickback Recovery to Mums United to the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, we’ve seen time and again how connection fuels creativity and collective action.
How Does It Work?
Project Ignite invites every Sheffielder to play a role in shaping our shared future. Here’s how:
Tilting the Floor: Like owning the media to reinforce the status quo, we will reclaim our attention, to reshape our systems and spaces to make connection and kindness the natural choice.
Novelty Search: Embracing curiosity and unexpected detours, we encourage experimentation over rigid goal-setting.
Deep Listening: By fostering understanding across differences, we lay the groundwork for innovation and compassion.
What’s Next?
Project Ignite’s launch will be an unconventional, connected celebration of hospitality. Brian Mosley will lead a tour of local community hubs, sharing the values and vision of the movement with warmth and authenticity. This journey through Sheffield’s vibrant spaces will offer a firsthand look at how Project Ignite’s principles can come to life in our neighbourhoods.
This tour will be an opportunity for communities to host community conversations on our strengths, and how small, conscious actions can ignite big changes. Together, we’ll explore how connected enterprises have the power to transform our communities.
Your Invitation
This is your call to action. How can you contribute to this vision? Whether it’s highlighting your community, attending a meetup, joining the tour, or simply sharing your ideas, every action matters. Let’s build a Sheffield that thrives on connection, compassion, and creativity – together.
Join our Love Sheffield community to learn more about Project Ignite and how to get involved. Let’s spark something extraordinary.
Kind regards,
Brian Mosley
Founder, Love Sheffield & Project Ignite
Author of "Uniting Hearts, Igniting Change"