Ingrid Pope of RSA talks to Mona Channet

Sunday, 27 September 2026 19:35

What happens when people come together to create positive change?

Mona Channet has the pleasure of speaking with Ingrid Pope, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), about the organisation’s remarkable history, its global fellowship community and, most importantly, how small ideas can grow into meaningful change.

The RSA has been bringing people and ideas together for more than 270 years, with a fascinating history that includes innovations such as event ticketing, early tree-planting campaigns and the development of carbon tokens.

But what really stood out in our conversation was the RSA’s commitment to grassroots action.

Ingrid shared how support from the RSA helped take a local community idea in Tunbridge Wells and develop it into something that could be shared with communities elsewhere — a wonderful example of how a small idea, with the right support and connections, can grow.

We also talked about:

The power of connecting people across communities
How Fellows can learn from projects happening in different parts of the country
Who can become an RSA Fellow
The importance of bringing younger voices into the fellowship
The RSA’s events, research and conversations around society and democracy
Why you don't have to be a "big" change-maker to make a difference

And Ingrid left us with a powerful thought:

“No big issue has ever been solved by one person. It’s always been people coming together.”

Sometimes making an impact simply starts with showing up, getting involved and taking that first small step. As Ingrid says, even a small action can make a difference.