It’s been three years since Not So Micro (NSM) was established following the Young Changemakers programme and NSM has seen huge transformation in the past few years. What started as a small idea to address the subtle but harmful effects of microaggressions has grown into a movement that continues to empower educators to challenge everyday racism and foster safer spaces for mental wellbeing.
Not So Micro: Building on reflection and shaping what’s next
In our 2024 Black History spotlight, we described the year as one of reflection and forward planning. It was a year to look inward, strengthen our purpose, and decide how to keep young people at the heart of what we do. That reflection laid the groundwork for where NSM stands today: a growing initiative focused on tackling microaggressions, racism, and discrimination in education.
What we’ve been working on
Over the past year, NSM has continued to raise awareness about the “not-so-micro” effects of microaggressions and their link to young people’s wellbeing. Much of our work has centred around strengthening partnerships, deepening community engagement and seeking funding for our next phase.
A key part of this has been our ongoing involvement with the Take Racism Seriously campaign. Through discussions and campaigns, we’ve continued to challenge the normalisation of everyday racism and highlight how racial trauma can affect self-esteem, belonging, and mental health. This collaboration has not only expanded our reach but has also helped to ensure that anti-racism remains central to conversations about wellbeing in schools, workplaces, and youth settings.
We’ve also been exploring new ways to make our work more accessible and youth led. This included looking into the development of creative digital content and interactive sessions.
Looking ahead: Our future plans
As we move into the next phase of our journey, 2025 marks a turning point for NSM. With support from the PCC Innovations Fund, we’re beginning to expand our work across Bedfordshire, an exciting opportunity to bring our approach into more local schools.
This next chapter will focus on developing focus groups and creative workshops that amplify young voices and promote collective action against discrimination. By working directly with schools, we aim to make schools a place where mental health and anti-racism work hand in hand.
We’re also introducing new ways to deliver our training, including bringing in external facilitators to help lead sessions in Bedfordshire. This step reflects our commitment to collaboration and shared learning and we’d love to connect with facilitators who are passionate about anti-racism, youth empowerment, or mental health. By widening our delivery network, we hope to make our sessions more dynamic, locally informed, and representative of the communities we work with.
Our upcoming plans include:
- Workshops across Bedfordshire schools to address microaggressions in education and its impact on our youths.
- Collaborations with educators and youth professionals to provide tools for identifying and addressing microaggressions within their settings.
- Youth-led campaigns and creative projects that use storytelling, art, and media to raise awareness and spark dialogue about race and mental health.
Beyond our Bedfordshire work, we’re continuing to strengthen the foundations of NSM as a movement, not just a project. Our long-term goal is to create a sustainable platform that continues to empower young changemakers, influence policy, and encourage schools to take practical steps towards racial equity.
Internally, our plans include upskilling and growth within our team. As our projects are expanding, we’ve decided to invest more time in training areas that strengthen both our impact and sustainability. By prioritising our own development, we’re ensuring that NSM continues to be a space led by empathy, understanding, and lived experience.
A movement for change
At its core, NSM’s mission remains the same: to challenge the everyday biases that too often go unaddressed. We’re grateful to everyone who has supported and amplified our work over the past year, and to Centre for Mental Health for being part of our story from the beginning. With new partnerships, expanded local work, and a team that continues to grow in skill and passion, Not So Micro is ready for its next chapter: turning awareness into lasting change.
If you’re a school, facilitator, or organisation interested in working with us we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’d like to host a workshop, co-design a project, or collaborate on training, we’re always open to new partnerships that help create safer, more inclusive spaces for young people. You can reach us via our social media or email: notsomicrouk@gmail.com, to learn more about our upcoming opportunities.
Crown Agabi is Not So Micro Director and Training lead.
