Pathways into place-based work

This map shows different ways people contribute to place-based work – individually and collectively. It helps you orient yourself in the work, based on where you are right now. You can start anywhere. Follow what feels familiar, or explore other ways of getting involved. Click a pathway or practice point to explore further.

Don’t know where to start? Visit the landing pages for Collective pathways and Individual pathways to get a sense for the different parts of the map.

Pathways Map - Key

This map shows different ways people contribute to place-based work - individually and collectively - and where those forms of work connect.

Colours

Green - Individual pathways

Red - Collective pathways

Pathways

Each colour contains three pathways.

Pathways represent different ways of contributing, not stages or levels.

Practice points

Each circle represents a practice within a pathway.

Select a highlighted practice point to explore reflections, activities and resources.

You can visit practices in any order and return to them at any time.

Overlaps

The blue highlighted areas show where individual and collective pathways connect.

These highlight shared practices that influence both personal contribution and the wider conditions for place-based work.

Overlaps are shared ground, not additional steps.

How to use the map

There is no start or end.

Begin wherever feels most relevant to you.

Explore one pathway or move between several.

The map is designed for exploration rather than a fixed sequence.

Sustaining impact

Place-based work requires care and persistence. Sustaining your contribution means looking after yourself, tending relationships and noticing where pressure is building.

People leading locally often move between supporting people and influencing systems, while carrying different responsibilities at once.

Reflect on:

what helps you keep showing up in ways that feel sustainable and meaningful in your place

who supports you when the work becomes complex or demanding

how sharing or handing over parts of the work could strengthen what is already happening.

Small step

Notice one area where your involvement has helped things move forward. Choose a small action that will help it continue – such as connecting people, passing on what you know or easing back while staying available for support.

Go deeper

National Communications Charter (Life in Mind) offers practical principles for communicating in ways that protect mental health in complex work. Choose one principle to use as a check-in during conversations or collaboration.

6 skills for place-based initiatives (PLACE, 2025) provides a shared language for the capabilities that help place-based work sustain and adapt in changing contexts. It can help you recognise contributions that often go unseen, share responsibility across roles and support continuity when roles change or people step back.

Skills Compass tool (PLACE) offers a way to reflect on how these skills are showing up in your context and where responsibility might be shared or supported.

Return to 'Stepping into local leadership'

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