Charlotte Forshaw writes about embracing the power of small-table energy.

The phrase ‘a seat at the table’ is often touted as a promise of inclusivity—a chance to have one’s voice heard and to influence decisions that affect one’s life. It sounds inviting, doesn’t it? The notion is that by being present in a room with decision-makers, your experiences and perspectives will be valued and lead to meaningful change. Yet, too often, this promise falls short. The reality is that many of us find ourselves at the mercy of the powerful voices surrounding the big table, where our presence may be more symbolic than impactful.

The illusion of inclusivity
Being given a seat at the big table often comes with high expectations but limited influence. In many cases, this seat is tokenistic—offering the illusion of participation while real power remains concentrated in the hands of a few. Decisions are made within echo chambers, where the voices of those directly affected by the outcomes are diluted or ignored. The big table energy—characterised by top-down decision-making and rigid structures—can stifle creativity and suppress the innovative ideas that emerge from true collaboration.

The constraints of big table energy and the emergence of small tables collective
Big table energy is a pervasive force in many decision-making environments. It’s embedded in the practices of funding bodies whose boards make decisions about community grants without meaningful input from those who know the community best. It’s reflected in the mission statements of organisations that claim to promote community participation yet often fail to engage community members as true partners in problem-solving. It’s evident in the rhetoric of ‘empowering communities’ that remains abstract and disconnected from the concrete actions needed to effect real change.

In contrast to the big table, small table energy represents a paradigm shift towards genuine community empowerment. Small tables—where community members come together in intimate, collaborative settings—offer a space where every voice can be heard and every idea has the potential to shape outcomes. Here, decision-making is decentralised, allowing for more equitable and inclusive processes. The energy at these small tables is dynamic and creative, driven by the collective wisdom and experiences of those most impacted by the issues.

So, small table energy becomes Small Tables Collective (STC).

Why small tables matter

1: True inclusivity: STC puts decision-making power directly in the hands of those affected by the outcomes. STC ensures that diverse perspectives are valued and integrated into solutions by involving community members as active participants and experts in their own experiences.

2: Fostering creativity: The collaborative environment of small tables encourages brainstorming and innovation. Without the constraints of traditional top-down structures, participants can explore new ideas and approaches, leading to more effective and creative solutions. For example, STC began to use systemic action research story-gathering methodologies to collect the stories of community activists and front-line workers from various organisations and started to identify, as a group, aspects of community organisations that either helped or hindered their delivery. Ideas around using WhatsApp more creatively to connect with their group and community members and using AI to support funding bids emerged through story mapping. They encouraged open conversations with other community development workers about how these techniques could facilitate their activist work and community delivery.

3: Building resilience: STC will strengthen communities by building networks of mutual support and shared purpose. These collectives create a sense of ownership and investment in the community’s well-being, enhancing resilience in the face of challenges. For example, creating spaces (or facilitating small tables) of resources, ideas and activism - means that more of the work undertaken by community groups can be shared, and capacity building can become more robust, ultimately contributing to organisations' long-term vision and sustainability. One recent example was STC's involvement with Rekindle Supplementary School creating a small table around intangible cultural heritage. Working with other organisations that preserve local African-Caribbean heritage (The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Educational Trust) and organisations that facilitate the collection of potential heritage (Heard Storytelling) will contribute to reimagining cultural heritage as part of the curriculum at Rekindle in South Manchester. This work will ensure that African-Caribbean heritage and contributions of Windrush generations aren’t forgotten or sidelined as Black history. Still, taking ownership of local cultural heritage preservation can strengthen the local community’s commitment to its history in the face of much development and gentrification, becoming a sprouting hub of other projects and potential community engagement regarding cultural heritage and education in South Manchester.

4: Driving grassroots change: By focusing on local priorities and leveraging the skills and resources within the community, the emerging small tables in the collective will drive grassroots change. They will empower communities to address their needs and advocate for solutions grounded in their lived experiences.

Creating space for small tables
To shift from Big Table Energy to the empowering spirit of STC, we must actively create and support these spaces. This means prioritising community-led initiatives, valuing local expertise, and fostering environments where collaborative decision-making can flourish. It’s about moving beyond the tokenistic gestures and embracing a model of engagement that genuinely reflects the power and potential of communities.

For STC to be sustainable, meaningful conversations that expand traditional notions of social justice are imperative if we want to take a more transformative impact, where not just the harms our communities face are analysed but the systems that establish, maintain and perpetuate these harms are interrogated too, prioritising community-led, holistic solutions.

At STC, we are committed to transforming how decisions are made and how communities are engaged, and we encourage exploring this. By embracing the energy of small tables, we can unlock the true potential of community collaboration and drive meaningful, lasting change.