So, what is SayYesMore?
It’s at the heart of everything we do: it’s a motto that encourages the trying of new things and the unlocking of doors. Read our founder’s tale about how the YesTribe grew.
It’s important to remember, it’s say yes more, not say yes to everything! The more we say yes to, the more we learn, succeed and fail, and therefore the better we get at saying yes to the right things.
Now SayYesMore is also the name of the non profit social enterprise which runs all kinds of good stuff that brings people together to learn, encourage and share stories. Read on to find out what we’ve been up to for the last five years.
The YesTribe
The YesTribe is a community that grew out of the idea of saying yes more. It started in June 2015 with nineteen strangers responding to a Facebook invite to go camping just outside of London. Absolutely everyone is welcome, it doesn’t cost anything to join, just hop into the central community group on Facebook and then find your regional tribe and when you’re ready, say hi, make a post, show up at an event
If we had to define the YesTribe, it would have something to do with bringing brave, kind, curious, people together, often in the great outdoors. We’re humans who want to be useful and make a difference, and choose to see positives and opportunities before the less fun stuff. Also, it’s so much easier to do something cool when you’re surrounded by supportive people, rather than naysayers or boredom mongers.
There’s a theme of adventure running through the YesTribe and this means a willingness to try new things. Adventure isn’t about how far you travel or how high you climb, it’s a venture towards the unsure, a way to stretch out your comfort zone and get to know yourself in the midst of a new challenge.
If you have 90 seconds, this little film will show how the kindness of strangers Dave found on his journeys became the inspiration for the YesTribe.
Values
This is a movement for good. We encourage development and big thinking and supporting each other. Everyone is welcome, we’re pretty sure that life is better when we all look after each other and don’t expect too much.
We don’t allow politics or adverts on our Facebook community groups, to ensure conversation flows in a supportive atmosphere. We also don’t accept negativity or criticism on our pages and walls. We figure there are other places on the Internet for this less-than-positive fluff :)
The team behind the Tribe
The community is non profit with no paid staff. Our team of 80 volunteers (at the time of writing in June 2020) is managed by SayYesMore/ YesTribe founder Dave and his wife Em, and we’re always looking for new helpers!
It should be said, we haven’t all met! People join the team because they believe in what we do and want to contribute, and although we feel like a small (or big) family every one of us met through the Tribe. It’s all grown through word of mouth.
We totally rely on folks putting their hands up and getting involved. Our story has always been guided by the effort, skills an energy of the volunteers involved at any given time.
Events
Stories are central to the community and we love hearing about adventures big and small, life-changing decisions to daily backyard hobbies; anything really that contributes to a life well lived.
Yestival is our annual festival and we’ve held five so far (luckily we decided to take a fallow year in 2020!). Between 200 and 500 people turn up depending on the year, which makes it our biggest event by far. We have around 40 speakers who share tales and host workshops, all geared towards motivating, inspiring change and action.
We hold regular YesStories nights all over the UK, which have given a platform for hundreds of people to share their stories over the years. We like to think that everyone in the audience is a future speaker.
Our Tribe Leaders also host a variety of events, from podcast clubs to wild camps, paddling, cycling and hiking trips, daytime walks and yoga classes, crafternoons and little cups of adventure, where we get together to chat about our upcoming trips. All of the upcoming events hosted by the YesTribe are visible on this page.
Although we have a few costs to cover we keep over 95% of our events free, and if people would like to attend a ticketed event but can’t afford it, then we’ll do everything we can. We want the YesTribe and the things we do to be welcoming across the board, and accessible to all. Naturally there are some things we can’t do with our voluntary model and not much funding, but spirit gets us a long way. For Yestival, which is our most expensive event because it costs a lot and funds SayYesMore for the year, we have a kindness of strangers policy, where anyone can pitch in towards an accessibility ticket.
The YesBus and YesWoods
We’re really proud of our own community spaces. Everything we do is based around the same culture that everyone is welcome, and that the best ideas are done because it feels right, not because of money or fame or any material stuff. We try to create little incubation chambers for magic in everything we do.
Our first big project was the YesBus. We got an old London bus and converted it into an off grid, solar-powered community hub and co-working space. The YesBus currently sits in a patch of West Sussex countryside alongside space to camp, a firepit and a generally lovely place to go, learn skills, circle a campfire and enjoy some fresh air.
We also have 6 3/4 acres of woodland in southern Oxfordshire, which is perfect for wild camping, bushcraft and learning basic outdoorsy skills. Our dream is to buy up community plots of woodland around the UK (to start with) so woodland spaces are more accessible for all.
Is there an end goal?
Not really! This has been such an organic idea that too much planning would take away from the enjoyable curves in the road. That said, while there’s not a specific objective we’re aiming for, we know the values that guide every decision, and there’s more about these principles on this page.
FAQs
Would I be welcome?
Heck yes! From the outside it might seem like everyone knows each other, but we think that’s just because everyone in the YesTribe is super welcoming and personable! Usually half the people who turn up to an event are there for the first time, and many feel comfortable enough to come alone. We try to have people on the door (or at the gate, or woodland entrance!) to welcome everyone. And that’s the key, everyone is so so welcome. Our team are all so geographically separated that many of us haven’t met each other in person, but it doesn’t seem to matter!
I’m not an adventurer, does that matter?
The beauty of the YesTribe is that we consider adventure to be the act of doing something new. Now and then this might be a big adventure but that’s just a tiny side to this community. Take a browse down the YesTribe group and you’ll see lots of different types of yeses, from bungee jumping to setting up a cake shop, from one night wild camps to learning a new skill like wood carving.
Is it London-centric?
The YesTribe started in London so there are plenty of members there, but there are now over 40 YesTribe groups around the world. Events are hosted by regional tribe leaders and as we saw from the COVID-19 pandemic, location isn’t relevant. We just like good people :)
How can I get involved?
A good way to start is turn up at an in-person or virtual event and say hi. After that you’ll start to recognise a few faces and your confidence will build. From there if you’d like to start helping out in the team just drop us a line. But if not, and you’d prefer just to hang out on the Facebook group and maybe turn up to the odd event, that’s also cool.
What do I do if I have an event idea?
The first point of call is to contact the team and let them know your thoughts. We’ve worked out the best way to set up an event and distribute it so as many as possibly hear about it, so if your event fits into the type of attitude we love, we’ll work out the best way to help you make it happen.
Is Dave the bearded stranger on the bus that said ‘Say Yes More’ to Danny Wallace, which inspired him to write his Yes Man book?
Dave here! Honestly, I’m not sure. The say yes more thing popped into my head on the morning of my 25th birthday, which was towards the end of 2004. Ever since I’ve definitely made a habit of suggesting that saying yes more would be a good idea, and I’ve for sure said it to a few strangers on a few buses. But whether I’m the one in Danny’s book, can’t be sure!
How can I join the YesTribe Quizzes?!
Easy! During COVID-19 they’re all online, so check the events page and make sure you join the next one. All you need is a computer/phone/tablet and your quiz hat!
