By Olivia Field, CEO

Meaningful impact

Almost a month into my role as CEO, I’ve been struck by just how much meaningful impact The Jo Cox Foundation is having – often quietly, and often behind the scenes.

From influencing national policy to supporting community-led action, this work doesn’t always make headlines. But its effects are real, lasting, and deeply important to the health of our democracy and our communities.

Working towards a more respectful politics

In my first few days, our Respectful Politics lead rather nonchalantly asked me to look at our response to a new policy stopping councillors’ home addresses from being included in local authority registers. This is something the Foundation has long been calling for.

It may sound small, but it makes a significant difference – particularly to the families of elected representatives who too often fear for their safety.

This change is part of a wider set of policy and practice improvements we’ve helped secure through our cross-party Jo Cox Civility Commission, which identifies practical ways to reduce abuse and intimidation of elected representatives. These include the expansion of dedicated police support for locally elected representatives, improved security guidance for families, a new commitment to teach political literacy in schools and more. We will continue to influence parliamentarians to build on this progress during the upcoming Elections Bill – you can see our key calls here.

All of this is about strengthening our democracy, and ensuring that people, no matter their gender, race or background, can participate in politics safely and confidently.

Supporting community-led social action and partnership working

Alongside this national policy work, much of our impact happens at a local level. Some of our work takes place in hyper-local communities. In West Yorkshire, we’ve worked alongside communities to develop a vision for their area, rooted in what they themselves see as their greatest strengths. Elsewhere, we’ve created partnerships in places like Cardiff, Nottingham, Manchester and Staffordshire, connecting and supporting people and organisations working to strengthen social cohesion. 

Through this work, we are creating space for conversations about controversial and challenging issues – conversations that might not otherwise happen.

Many of us worry about raising political or sensitive topics with friends or neighbours, in case we disagree. But what if more of us could disagree and still get on? What if we recognised that, despite our differences, we have more in common than that which divides us?

If we did, we might feel less disconnected – and perhaps better equipped to tackle society’s most complex problems together. These examples of grassroots, community-led social action and partnership working show just how vital this approach is to building resilience, trust and cohesion.

Jo’s message, that we have more in common than that which divides us, feels as urgent now as ever. This June, as we remember and reflect on ten years since her murder, we will be amplifying that message once again.

We know many people are already choosing to connect. And we know many others want to. This year’s Great Get Together, which will bring communities together through events across the country, is one way to make that happen.

Influencing policy to connect

Events like these help people feel a stronger sense of belonging, reduce loneliness, and support community connection. But to truly address loneliness, all parts of society have a role to play – including government.

In recent months, we’ve seen some positive steps, including initiatives announced through the Youth Strategy and a new sports campaign aimed at reducing isolation among boys and men. However, alongside our partners in the Loneliness Action Policy Group, we know that more coordinated, cross-government and ambitious action is still needed.

Ten years ago, Jo established the Loneliness Commission, which led to the world’s first Minister for Loneliness and a national strategy. There is much to celebrate – and still so much more to do.

We’re grateful to everyone who supports this work—and to everyone choosing to connect. Together, we can build a movement that brings communities together and reminds us of what we have in common.