Keynsham Action Network is an experiment. We want to see if this mostly middle class town can find its power and its passion. We are doing this because the world needs people who have come alive.

Keynsham Action Network or ‘KAN’ is the response of a group of Keynsham residents to what we see as a loss of connection and a loss of deep meaning in our culture. Everywhere there is evidence of this: epidemic loneliness in the young as much as the old, socially determined illness overwhelming our health services, young people leaving education unprepared for a life of purpose and achievement, being careless of our natural environment, widespread substance abuse and prisons overflowing with inmates.

There is neither a single nor simple answer. And it is certainly not sufficient to pour all our effort into trying to fix the individual problems that confront us. We need to save some of our energy and resources for looking behind these problems towards their deeper causes. This task cannot be left to others. These deeper problems belong to all of us. Nor can we expect individuals to sort out the mess. It requires ordinary people working together. We are social creatures, we all live in a community, often in several communities. It makes sense for the community to be the test bed for change.

KAN is a voluntary organisation formed at the end of 2011. It is currently an unincorporated association. We have a steering group of seven local residents who meet every 6-8 weeks to make key decisions about progress and direction. We are supported by an administrator, Jill Herrett, for one day per week. Our members are listed below with a few sentences about each of us. Every steering group member has a particular role in the organisation.

Our funding comes from local fundraising in the town (such as donations at events) with support through St Augustine’s Medical Practice in Keynsham and project grants from various generous local funders.