Giroscope 40: Our Origin Story - Part 1

'Our Origin Story' is a series of three talks and panels in 2026 with the theme of radical ideas, DIY culture and community activism from devolution down to street level.

These are part of the Giroscope 40: Lunch Plus programme, celebrating 40 years of Giroscope.

Hear our reflections on direct action and community activism from the last few decades and how these actions are relevant to today’s challenges in communities across the UK.

We will kick off in May with a panel of Giroscope founders reflecting on what inspired them to start the organisation and whether they think similar models are relevant to today’s social and political climate.

Robert Amesbury manages tenancies, housing applications and new tenant support at Giroscope. A founding member of the original workers’ co-operative in the mid-80's, he went on to help build the organisation through the 1990s before later returning as a trustee when Giroscope became a charity in 2007. He joined the staff team in 2023. His background includes work in the print industry and education supporting people with special educational needs, alongside a lifelong commitment to community action and housing.

Jenny Haycocks joined Giroscope in 1991 after hearing about a benefit gig while finishing her studies at the University of Hull. She spent seven years with Giroscope as a builder and director, experiences that continue to shape her work today. Jenny is currently involved with Space Generators, supporting communities to bring empty buildings back into use, and is active in environmental and systems change organising focused on regenerative and grassroots approaches.

The CEO, Martin Newman is a co-founder of Giroscope and has played a central role in the organisation’s development over the past four decades. Part of the original group renovating empty homes in west Hull during the 1980s, he helped shape Giroscope’s community-led approach to housing, regeneration and sustainability, supporting the organisation’s growth from a small co-operative into a long-standing Hull charity.

The panel will be chaired by local journalist Angus Young, who has reported on Giroscope since its inception in 1986.

We will allow plenty of opportunity for Q&A.

A free vegetarian lunch will be available.

To join on Teams click here Giroscope 40: Our Origin Story - Part 1 | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

Info: A tasty vegetarian lunch is provided by Giroscope Cookery Project. Please let us know any dietary requirements when booking

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