From Protest to Place: Building the Exeter Community Alliance

Chris Wood, organiser with Exeter Community Alliance (ECA), a city-wide umbrella network helping nearly 100 local groups collaborate, share space, and engage the public. We talk about moving “beyond protest” to long-term, community-led action; why shared high-street space matters; and how ECA is weaving climate, social justice, culture and civic groups into a practical, supportive network. 

In this episode:

• How XR activism led to forming Exeter Community Alliance and a public-facing hub model. 
• Why the original charity was called Climate Action Hub Exeter and why it now trades as Pulse (to reflect broader crises beyond climate). 
• The “movement of movements” idea: coordinating newsletters, events, and joint actions across ~100 groups. 
• Making empty shops work for people: using the Climate Emergency Centres model and new High Street Rental Auctions powers. 
• Practical examples: People’s Assemblies, the Climate Fresk workshop, an ECA city-wide events calendar, and public drop-ins. 

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Exeter Community Alliance (ECA) – umbrella network & hub info: https://www.exetercommunityalliance.net 
• Pulse (formerly Climate Action Hub Exeter) – charity/home of the hub (20 Queen St): https://climateactionhubexeter.net
• Climate Emergency Centres (CEC) – the “use empty shops as community hubs” model: https://climateemergencycentre.co.uk 
• Exeter Community Energy (ECoE) – community-owned renewables / energy advice: https://www.ecoe.org.uk