The Problem

Change is accelerating, but our capability to respond is weak. The climate crisis has become, at its heart, a challenge dependent on learning, unlearning and reimagining.

As stakes are raised across producers and supply chains, industry practice and local communities, urgent action is needed to learn at the pace of change.

Our response

First Hand makes the case for radical innovation in learning and skills – creating pathways which are fast, practical and close to the work.

First Hand is a product of collaboration with learners, learning providers, community groups, local government, educational institutions, and industry.

Over three years we built a demonstrator project focused on testing the potential of open and place based learning to support a skills agenda built around climate and community.

Now we’re focused on building the field: understanding it through research and analysis, sharing best practice and tools, building collaborations and partnerships and making the case for scale.

Ready to build your own programme? 

We’re always happy to share our expertise and support if we can. Contact us to talk through your learning challenge.

The Project Team

Dee Halligan, Director

Julia Bena, Programme Manager

Gabrielle Edwards PhD, Researcher in Residence

Dominik Webb, Digital Media Associate

Emily Tulloh, Research & Development Lead (Stage 1)

Viandira Athia, Research & Development Assistant (Stage 1)

Jane Packman, Operations Associate

Our Story

First Hand is part of LEVERS (Horizon Europe, 2023-2026). We’re one of a family of nine exploratory projects, with partners including UCL Climate Action Unit and Trinity College Dublin.

It’s created by Forth, a Community Interest Company with non‑profit roots and commercial rigour. Our award-winning work includes other place-based projects like Maker Library Network and FixCamp and clients including the Design Museum and Google.

For more than a decade we’ve helped public bodies, developers, networks and educators turn places into classrooms – so more people can connect with the ideas and skills they need in a changing world.