Gareth Benest is a communications consultant and participatory media practitioner. He works with people and organisations to explore complex issues, tell stories in their own terms, and communicate in ways that are accurate, engaging and deeply human.

For more than 25 years, Gareth’s work has crossed international development, humanitarian action, social justice and community-led advocacy. He has facilitated participatory video and co-creation processes with communities around the world, supporting people to document their experiences, share their knowledge and shape how the issues affecting them are understood.

His consultancy brings together facilitation, strategic communications, training, writing, editing, filmmaking and design. He works with clients, contributors and communities to develop communications that are clear, useful and grounded in lived experience. His approach is collaborative from the start, with participants actively shaping the stories, messages and materials that emerge.

Gareth was Director of Programmes at InsightShare for nine years, leading international projects and large-scale consultancies. He is also co-founder of the InsightShare Network, a non-profit partnership between Indigenous communities and experienced participatory video facilitators working to strengthen local voice, representation and action.

Gareth’s work is grounded in ethical, dignified and community-led communications. He develops stories with people rather than simply about them, with accuracy, agency, informed consent and respect at the heart of the process.

The name “equals” reflects this approach. Gareth works with communities, contributors, collaborators and clients as equals, creating communications that uphold people’s dignity and help shift how important issues are seen, understood and acted upon.