Name: Heart of Glass
Price range: $

In 2019, we invited Michelle to join us for a research residency exploring the future world of work in St Helens, and other towns similarly affected by large-scale unemployment and worklessness. Building on her previous project Now Thus Now Thus, World of Work is a collaborative board game where players work together to deal with external forces, tech innovations and societal changes that assist or reduce job creation in a town like St Helens.

The aim of the game is to gather a number of social benefits such as housing, sustainable environment and basic income, that will improve the lives of those who live in the town.

Will they be able to keep enough people in employment? Can they ensure social benefits such as housing, public transport and a Universal Basic Income are available to everyone who needs them? How might these reflections help us think about the future of work in our region?

Michelle has played World of Work with diverse communities and policy makers in towns and locations across the UK and Ireland including St Helens and Dublin, offering the space to think strategically about the fundamental inequalities and global impacts that contribute to deprivation locally.

The board game is photographed from a birds eye view, it is being played and all of the different cards are laid out around the outside of the board. — Photo by Frank Abruzzese

A hand hold a small white card with lines on it. In black and orange text the card reads 'The government decides to change the laws about who can do care work - lower employment for Orange Care Worker'. — Photo by Frank Abruzzese

A board game is set up on a wooden table. Colourful triangular counters are set up on the board, black counters on the table around it and black and white cards. — Photo by Frank Abruzzese

World of Work at The World Transformed 2023

In October 2023, Michelle Browne and Heart of Glass brought World of Work to The World Transformed; a four day festival of left wing political art, activities and learning in Liverpool. The gameplay was recorded and will be shared later in 2024. We hope that this will help engage further communities to play the game and explore the ideas inherent in it.

5 people sit around the table playing the game, they are all looking thoughtful and concentrating, one person reaches out and moves a piece on the board. — Photo by TripleDotMakers

One persons hand is picking up a piece on the board, another is half smiling with one hand to their chin thoughtfully, another player looks apprehensive as though they don't know what move to make next. — Photo by TripleDotMakers

A close up photograph shows one hand moving a piece on the board. — Photo by TripleDotMakers

World of Work at St Helens College

In November 2023, Heart of Glass invited two groups of people to play the game at St Helens College: four professionals working in fields which are directly affecting and affected by the economy, employment and skills training (from St Helens Council, St Helens Chamber, a Labour Councillor and a lecturer) and a group of six students from FE and HE courses at the College. This gameplay was also filmed and will also be used alongside The World Transformed footage.

If you're interested in finding out more about the World of Work, or would like to host a gameplay event, please email kate@heartofglass.org.uk