Losing Control started as a one-off event in Oxford hosted by The Social Change Agency and Practical Governance in April 2017. More than 100 participants heard from people who have been at the forefront of accelerating social change, for example by adopting more inclusive decision making, creating collaborative campaigns, promoting genuine diversity and giving those with lived experience a voice. We explored strategies and tools that could help people to do this themselves such as online tools, new governance models, storytelling and movement building strategies; and worked together to support 10 social movements to find their own path to Lose Control.

Ignited by the need, the success of our first event and a deep belief in our shared philosophy, the Losing Control Network emerged. This peer led community provided a space to connect, inspire, learn and debate about how to lose control in an open, honest and practical way. Over the years we came together to tackle practical challenges and discuss the difficult questions that arise when trying to let go of power.

By 2021 the network had grown to over 700 members. However, with a global pandemic restricting the ability to host in-person events we made the difficult decision to bring the network to a close.