How we work

OUR VALUES

Ferocious love

We love this world and we’re not shy about it. We seek justice for those who’ve suffered under systems of oppression, and liberation from the ideologies and practices that made that suffering possible. We care deeply and fiercely. We know that the only way to build a loving world is to model it, so we practice compassion, rest, joy and delight as a discipline.

Collective agency

Systems of oppression aren’t just ‘out there’ - they live in every layer of our being, from our individual beliefs and behaviours, to our relationships, communities, and the cultures we live within.

The work of liberation is both individual and collective, so we are intentional about engaging with the resources, roles and contributions needed at each of these levels.

We see that we are stronger together. And, we watch for when collectivism slides into sameness. We balance our own agency with the health of the whole. We honour both what we share and what makes us unique - respecting that we all have our own paths to walk toward the shared goal of liberation.

Visionary pragmatism

We work from the bridge between starshine and clay - staying rooted in reality, while keeping our sights locked on what lies beyond.

We are audaciously hopeful, guided by our deepest longings, nourished by the wisdom and accomplishments of those who’ve come before, and inspired by what becomes possible when we’re led by ‘yes’.

We are realistic about where we are right now. From our current context and systemic barriers to our personal limitations - we look our tough realities in the eye and work gently with the tenderness they invoke.

We commit to embodying the liberated futures we are fighting for - in whatever small, fractal way that we can - here and now.

Courageous humility

We commit to bold and brave action. We listen for when it is our turn to lead, and do so with graceful conviction, staying flexible and attuned to our responsibilities. We commit to making space - to lift up one another, and our friends, when it is their moment to take the helm, with hands at their back in supportive allyship.

We stand strong in our strengths, and are honest about where we have limits or more to learn. We seek guidance from the wisdom of our allies, our ancestors, spirit and the living world. We take feedback on board, give our utmost to repair where we have harmed, and try to stay open and soft when it is safe enough to do so. We stay reflexive even as we grow - always students of what it means to steward more life into being.

PRINCIPLES & APPROACHES

Anti-oppressive & decolonial

Injustice is man-made, and can be unmade, but as Audre Lorde said, ‘the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.’ Soulwork & Co. recognise how social forces - from poverty to patriarchy - play out in our own internal world, our relationships and our movements, and we work intentionally to disrupt power dynamics and divest from internalised teachings of colonialism, white supremacy, cis/heteronormativity, and other systems of oppression.

We’re inspired by Black feminist thought and Black radical tradition, queer ecologies, disability justice and more.

Embodied & somatic

Every one of us has an inner compass that points towards justice. When we’re bombarded with information and stuck in our head, we lose sight of crucial knowledge and guidance from our body, spirit and community. Soulwork & Co. use somatic approaches to help you to connect with your inner compass and move in line with your innate sense of justice.

We’re inspired by politicised somatics and the work of adrienne maree brown, Staci Haines, Prentis Hemphill and more.

Caring & joyful

When we live under systems that see some people as less human and less deserving, one of the most important things we can do is to press pause, re-centre our humanity, and give ourselves some love. Three key beliefs underpin this approach:

We’re inspired by Tricia Hersey (The Nap Ministry), The Care Collective, healing justice and more.