Gathering, the art and craft of holding space for shared enquiry.

As a global network of teams operating in so many different local and international contexts, we are lucky to be able to tap into a wide range of observations and reflections on how our practice and impact keep evolving. Understanding how our work with clients and partners is gradually changing in a world where so much is in transition is an important part of our ‘reflective learning practice’.

The Reach Network is a global community of experienced, impact-driven designers committed to engaging in meaningful projects. Our Monthly Reach School provides a safe space to seek and offer feedback on ongoing projects, as well as to learn from each other’s experiences to enhance the effectiveness of our work. In a recent Reach School, we convened to discuss a prototype of an online guide designed for the creative industries aimed at making a positive impact on climate and social justice. This guide draws on ten years of insights from What Design Can Do (WDCD). Various professionals from the Reach Network were actively involved in developing the research and insights that formed the foundation of this guide. By engaging in meaningful conversations and sharing experiences, we utilised our extensive knowledge to provide informed feedback and assess the product's effectiveness in the field.

As 2025 draws to a close, we gathered with Reach School to crystallise our shared experiences through a 'Reach School Wrapped.' This session served as an ending and a beginning, to evaluate the impact of our collaborative learning and to start co-designing the trajectory for the upcoming year.