The Connection Coalition was formed in April 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Anticipating that the nation was at risk of a crisis of disconnection – and a worsening epidemic of loneliness and social isolation – we created a platform for organisations across the country to work collectively to ensure that communities and the country emerges from Covid-19 ready to build and strengthen social relationships. It was only ever intended to be a time-limited project but we tapped into something necessary and powerful.
Image by Penny Vincent, taken at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Member survey
In Spring 2022 we asked members about the challenges they are facing, their hopes for the future and what they want from the future of the Connection Coalition. You can read the report of our findings here.
We’re continuing
Based on the findings from this survey and our wider work from the past 2 years, the Jo Cox Foundation Board have agreed to the principle of continuing the Connection Coalition – moving it from a time-limited pandemic response network, to a longer term sustainable programme, so long as there is a need. Hurrah! A big thank you to those of you who have engaged with the Coalition over the past 2 years – responding to the member survey, participating in the Community of Practice, informal get togethers, running Meta Creative Connector projects and more. Your participation and our shared learning from these spaces conversations has helped us understand and evidence the needs and potential for the Coalition moving forwards.
Having joined the Jo Cox Foundation in 2021 as Connection Coalition Manager, in July I started a new role as Head of Community Programmes. I am heading up a newly formed team which includes our work on the Connection Coalition, plus our work across West Yorkshire, the Great Get Together and the More in Common Network. I started a couple of weeks ago and my first task is creating a strategy for this area of our work to feed into our new overall Jo Cox Foundation strategy for 2023-25. I am not having a quiet summer so far! But I am excited to be working with a brilliant team to help us increase our impact and make change led by the values by which Jo lived her life. All this means…
We’re recruiting for a Connection Coalition Manager
We are looking for someone with experience of facilitation and making connections who can lead the Connection Coalition into its next chapter and steward our cross-sector network of organisations, charities, companies and groups to create a better future for everyone by building strong relationships and connected communities.
Apply before midnight on Sunday 11th September 2022.
Find out more: https://www.jocoxfoundation.org/careers
If you want to discuss any ideas for the future of the Connection Coalition or our Jo Cox Foundation Communities work more broadly, I’d love to chat. Otherwise, we’ll be in touch in the Autumn introducing new opportunities to get involved in shaping the next chapter for the Connection Coalition. I’ll still be around, overseeing the development of the Coalition and hope to see you at an informal get together soon!
Zoe Cumberland
Head of Community Programmes