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Ben Blankley

Clare’s London Marathon challenge: “It was the best feeling ever!”

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Clare running under Tower Bridge with a purple Jo Cox Foundation tshirt.In April 2023, Clare Sanderson ran the London Marathon and has so far raised over £1500 in donations for the Jo Cox Foundation. A music and drama teacher at BBG Academy in Birkenshaw, a school in Jo Cox’s constituency of Batley and Spen, this is her story of training, fundraising, and how she stayed motivated.

Why did you decide to take on this challenge of running the London Marathon?

I never thought I would ever run a marathon. It was never on my bucket list and the furthest I had ever run before this was about 10 miles. My friend ran the virtual London Marathon last October and suggested that we both enter the ballot for this year’s race. I agreed, but only because I knew that being successful in the ballot is really rare. I know of people who have entered the ballot for 14 years and never got a place, so I thought I would be pretty safe! I was wrong… I got a place on my first time of entering and my friend didn’t! I was going to decline it, but realised that it was a real opportunity – a privilege almost – to get a chance to run. My friend who didn’t get a place has been my biggest supporter and was there shouting and cheering for me on the day.

What inspired you to fundraise for the Jo Cox Foundation?

I wanted to run for a charity that meant something to me; something that I had a connection to. I also wanted to run for a charity that didn’t already have hundreds of people already fundraising for them, and a charity that had a local connection.

Clare running along a London street with a purple Jo Cox Foundation tshirt.

My school is in Jo Cox’s constituency, and a lot of our students live in Birstall. I will always remember the afternoon when the receptionist came into my classroom and asked the Birstall students to stay in school and wait to be collected rather than walking home. Neither I nor the students had any idea why at the time, but of course we found out later when we saw the dreadful news. It really brought home the fact that hatred and division were on the doorstep for some of our children, and that I needed to do anything I could to show them the right way – to make sure that they were never in doubt that we had more similarities than differences – quite literally that we have more in common than that which divides us. We have taken part in the events run by the local More in Common group at Oakwell Hall as a school, and I have run the Run For Jo every year as part of a BBG Academy team. It just made sense that my marathon should just be an even bigger Run For Jo.

What was the most challenging part of marathon training?

I ran at 5.30am almost every day. One of the most challenging parts was training in the dark winter mornings. I trained in snow, ice, rain and temperatures of -6 or 7. I got sprayed by a gritter numerous times – that is really painful! Another challenge was finding places to train near where I live. The hills of the Colne Valley are not very friendly to little legs!

What were you most looking forward to on the day?

I couldn’t wait to get the job done. I didn’t set a goal time – I just wanted to finish it. Then as the training started going well I decided that my goal was to run every step without walking. I ran 21 miles in training, and people kept telling me that the crowd would carry me for the final five. I have to say, without the crowd, the last 2 miles would have been pretty horrendous! My legs didn’t feel like they were part of my body – I can only describe my running style as “shuffling”! I was determined that I was going to run across the line though, and it was the best feeling ever!

How did you find fundraising?

I was reluctant to start a fundraising page – I think I still had doubts that I would actually be able to finish. Then, after a really good 20-mile run I decided to bite the bullet. I set a low target as I am very aware that money is tight for a lot of people at the moment, but people have been amazing. I have reached over £1500 on JustGiving and separate donations. Our school are hoping to add to this further, as students take part in the mini-marathon in the coming weeks. 

What message would you give to other people thinking of taking on a challenge and fundraising?

This was the biggest challenge I will ever undertake, but fundraising for such a fantastic cause as the Jo Cox Foundation gave me a real goal and impetus to keep going. Training for a challenge is so much easier when you are doing it for someone else and not just as a personal challenge, and knowing that so many people had faith in me kept me going to the very end when my legs were giving up on me!

Inspired to challenge yourself and fundraise for the Jo Cox Foundation?

Sign up for a challenge event

Candidates encouraged to take Civility Pledge for upcoming May elections

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Campaigning for respectful politics is a key part of our work to make change on the issues that Jo Cox was passionate about. Jo was renowned for her ability to forge cross-party relationships and to work collaboratively with those of opposing political views. At the Jo Cox Foundation, we seek to end the abuse and intimation that discourages so many from entering political life and particularly impacts diverse representation. 

As the elections on 4 May (England) and 18 May (Northern Ireland) draw closer, the Jo Cox Foundation and Compassion in Politics are urging candidates to commit to running a respectful election campaign and positively shape political discourse by taking the Civility Pledge.

Robust debate and scrutiny are essential aspects of our democratic process; abuse and intimidation shouldn’t have to be. Abuse can make elected representatives feel they need to step down and put potential future candidates off standing altogether. Women, in particular, suffer a disproportionate level of this behaviour. We all have a responsibility to challenge this.

Running in the upcoming elections?

Share your Civility Pledge today. Simply download the graphic and share it on your social media channels using the hashtag #CivilityPledge. This is an example post you could use:

Ahead of the May local elections, I am taking the @JoCoxFoundation’s #CivilityPledge. I will run a respectful campaign, foster constructive democratic debate and demonstrate compassion. #MoreInCommon

Or share your own wording – just make sure to tag @JoCoxFoundation and use the hashtag #CivilityPledge.

For more tips such as how to share your Civility Pledge through a video, or what to do if you face intimidation or abuse when campaigning, download the Civility Pledge Pack.

Download Pledge Pack

Have you experienced abuse and intimidation?

In February we launched the Jo Cox Civility Commission, through which we will find practical recommendations to address this complex problem at all levels.

If you are an elected representative (or candidate) and have ideas related to how we tackle abuse and intimidation in politics, please complete our call for submissions online form to help us gather a range of perspectives and ideas.

Complete submission

We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.

Jo Cox

We are launching the Jo Cox Civility Commission

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The Jo Cox Civility Commission, launched today (Tuesday 28 February 2023) by The Jo Cox Foundation, seeks to drive change in British democracy by working to find implementable solutions to make life safer for political representatives and candidates for office.

In the last seven years, two MPs have been murdered in their constituency and many more elected politicians have faced physical assaults and threats. 

This Commission has been established by The Jo Cox Foundation to raise awareness of the detrimental impact on individuals, democracy and society, of the current levels of abuse and intimidation in political life. 

Co-chaired by Baroness Gabrielle Bertin and Lord Vernon Coaker, the Commission will:

  • Develop a robust and evidenced set of recommendations to tackle the issue.

  • Advocate for the adoption of these recommendations.

  • Raise awareness of the detrimental impact of abuse and intimidation in political life. 

  • Deliver positive and lasting change to public life in the UK.

The need for this commission is abundantly clear.

In research published by the Fawcett Society this year, 82% of MPs said that online abuse and intimidation negatively impacted their feelings about being an MP. This figure was 93% among female MPs. But, unfortunately, it’s not solely online – some politicians have experienced destruction to their property, physical assault, stalking and sexual harassment – and the abuse doesn’t just come from the public, 16% of local councillors said that they had suffered abuse from fellow councillors.

Phase one of the commission, taking place until the summer of 2023, will gather evidence and solutions from experts and those with lived experience about how to address abuse and intimidation. Following this, recommendations will be made in a report, grouped according to sector and focusing on immediate, medium and long-term solutions. 

Following the publication of the report, phase two will be focused on advocacy, with the Jo Cox Foundation and the commission Co-Chairs actively working with partners to push for the adoption of the recommendations identified. This phase will begin in late 2023 and continue throughout 2024. 

Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, Chair of The Jo Cox Foundation said:

“In 2016, many of us hoped that the tragedy of Jo’s murder would be a wake-up call and abuse and intimidation in public life would be taken seriously and addressed. Almost seven years on, the problem appears to be worsening. MPs and local councillors alike frequently recount horrific threats and Sir David Amess’ tragic murder in 2021 highlights the ongoing risk of violence towards those who hold public office.  At The Jo Cox Foundation we are determined to protect our democracy for future generations. Today we take a huge step forward in this work with the launch of the Jo Cox Civility Commission.”

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, Co-Chair of the Jo Cox Civility Commission said:

“This Commission is vital. Great progress has been made on representation in UK politics in recent years, but only by tackling abuse and intimidation can we ensure this trend continues. Women still only make up 35% of MPs and yet they disproportionately receive abuse and intimidation. The level of abuse is even worse for female MPs from a minority ethnic background. Without urgent action, we will not only see more and more women step back from public life but we will also struggle to attract a diverse pipeline of politicians in future.“

Lord Vernon Coaker, Co-Chair of the Jo Cox Civility Commission said:

“The abuse and aggression towards politicians – whether in-person or online – has changed dramatically during my time in Parliament and has got measurably worse since Jo’s murder. We must recognise that attacks on elected politicians are attacks on our democracy. By finding and presenting tangible solutions through this Commission, we sincerely hope that this issue will be treated with the urgency that it deserves.”

 

Support the Commission

Shining a Spotlight on Volunteering in Kirklees

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Inspired by our More in Common Awards, held in partnership with Kirklees Council, the Volunteering Spotlight focuses on a smaller number of groups contributing positively throughout Kirklees.

One of the main challenges community groups face is a need for awareness of their activities, leading to overlooked services and missed chances to volunteer. We want to put volunteer organisations and clubs into the spotlight – raising their profile and encouraging more people to participate and volunteer, enabling an opportunity to learn, develop, and share skills.

The groups explored here embody the More in Common spirit and work to bring people together. From combating social isolation to providing welcoming spaces, we talked to 6 volunteer groups about how they work with their communities.

Volunteering is an inherently empathetic endeavour where people give up their time to help others. It provides a way to physically interact with the world improving health and fitness, with 7 out of 10 volunteers reporting improvements in their mental health, well-being, and loneliness, in a recent report from the National Council of Volunteer Organisations (NCVO). 

For many, getting involved in new activities and sports can be a source of much-needed socialising, enabling them to form connections to their community and the people around them, giving them a strong sense of belonging. 

It’s a reason to get out of bed in the morning, helping people stay in touch with others as they move house, experience challenging times in their lives, or get older and retire. 9 out of 10 volunteers felt it provided them with enjoyment, a purpose, and a sense of personal achievement, making it a happy and recommendable experience.

With a wide variety of groups available to participate and volunteer, there’s an opportunity for everyone to give a little time and effort to help build and nurture local places. 

⭐ In the Spotlight

  • Give…A Few Words
    • Give…A Few Words aim to reduce social isolation and improve social connections within the community through letter writing, pop-up community events and Give…A Few Words network meetings.
  • Royal Voluntary Service Kirklees
    • The Royal Voluntary Service helps to provide various activities and services for older people in the Batley & Spen area. Through locally recruited volunteers and a variety of groups, they aim to alleviate loneliness and isolation in people over 50.
  • Streetbikes CIC
    • Streetbikes CIC enables people of “all ages, all abilities, and all disabilities” to cycle safely using adapted and non-adapted bikes. They do this through their “flagship” Mixed Ability cycling sessions at the Spen Valley Running track, Community Rides on the Greenway, and Learn to Ride sessions. 
  • PeerTalk
    • PeerTalk is a registered UK charity providing in-person peer support for groups of individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and related distress. They currently have 16 support groups in England, with 2 in Kirklees, taking place in Batley and Huddersfield.
  • Batley Poets
    • Batley Poets are a poetry group hosting regular open-mic sessions, creating displays, and running poetry projects. Their website hosts more than 200 poems by over 60 local people. Their aim has always been to provide “a platform for bedroom poets to share their poetry”. 
  • 6 Million+
    • 6 Million+ is a creative arts project working with refugees and local communities to exchange stories of the Holocaust, genocides, and contemporary persecution at home and abroad. They do this by creating temporary art installations and events that commemorate Jews and other minorities killed in the Holocaust and continuing genocides to “challenge discrimination of any kind and work towards a kinder future.”

REPORT: On the brink of closure: can small charities survive the cost of living crisis?

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Small charities doing vital work to support local communities are facing untenable challenges because of the cost of living crisis. Because of increasing costs, workforce challenges and significant rises in demand from beneficiaries, almost half of those we surveyed are fighting for survival. Urgent government intervention is required to ensure they can keep supporting their communities. 

The Connection Coalition was formed by The Jo Cox Foundation 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 isolation. Over 800 organisations have joined the Coalition and we support them as they work to build and maintain relationships and connections in their communities. 

As the pandemic rolls into a third winter and the impacts of the cost of living crisis start to be felt, the ongoing crisis of disconnection is only set to worsen. Across the UK, communities are supported by over 166,000 voluntary organisations, the majority of them small, with a turnover of less than £1 million. Many of these organisations stepped up in the face of the pandemic, providing vital services at the most difficult of times. It is essential to listen to, value and give practical support to these organisations who are keeping our communities safe and connected.

We conducted an online survey of Connection Coalition members for two weeks in September – October 2022. 23 members responded, giving us a snapshot of the experiences and concerns of small charities right now.

Su Moore, CEO of The Jo Cox Foundation, said:

“This report makes sobering but important reading. Members of the Connection Coalition are doing vital work on the ground to support their communities. With so many of these charities at risk it is clear that, without urgent government intervention, we will be facing a crisis of increased loneliness and disconnection as well as a cost of living crisis.”

Read the reportDownload

The Anniversary of Sir David Amess’ Murder

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A statement from The Jo Cox Foundation:

Today marks one year since the murder of Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West. The thoughts of the Jo Cox Foundation team are very much with his family, loved ones, and colleagues on this tragic anniversary.

It reminds us of the appalling fact that two MPs were murdered in the space of six years. The intimidation and violence we see against elected representatives must never be viewed as an inevitable part of our politics. It is a serious problem that is harming our democracy, and concentrated effort is needed to find solutions.

Sir David’s family, like Jo’s, wanted some good to come from this tragedy. We must all reflect on and take inspiration from their moving words last year:

“We ask people to set aside their differences and show kindness and love to all. This is the only way forward. Set aside hatred and work towards togetherness.“

 

Unlocking Connection: 7 Keys for Connection

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Since 2021, Meta has partnered with the Connection Coalition to provide small grants to members who want to test ideas and ways to build connections and community through the pandemic and beyond.

In the second round of grants in 2022, we gave a total of £10,000 to 10 Connection Coalition members. After four months of workshops and check-ins with the grantees, the Connection Coalition and Talking Taboos have compiled our learnings from this programme and summarised them in this report.

‘Anyone can benefit from increasing the number or quality of their social connections. However, we know that certain groups and individuals are more at risk of loneliness and disconnection, and many people face additional barriers when it comes to creating social connections. Doing what you can to identify and minimise barriers for those who would benefit most from your activities can help increase your positive impact and change people’s lives.’

This report aims to:

– Share the main learnings that emerged on creating connections and where to find further resources and inspiration.
– Paint a bigger picture of the work organisations are doing, particularly the challenges faced and the opportunities available.
– Highlight the work of the participating Connection Coalition members.

                                                                                Photo credit: Ready Generations

Through our test-and-learn approach, we have identified 7 keys for connection, which when considered and applied, have shown themselves to unlock connections between people. These keys are grounded in community experiences and activities and were taken from conversations and learnings shared throughout the programme. This report is aimed at those directly delivering work to create and maintain social connections, but we hope it will also be of use to those in the wider sector including funders and policy-makers.

Read the full report.

Read the summary report.

Blog: My Kickstart experience and understanding how I work best

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Our Stronger Communities Officer Ella describes her Kickstart experience and the importance of an understanding workplace.

My journey at the Jo Cox Foundation began with the help of a government initiative for 16-24-year-olds who were unemployed during the pandemic, called Kickstart. When the pandemic began, I was made unemployed like so many others across the country. I spent the duration of the lockdowns searching for a job, a difficult task at the best of times. It soon became apparent that as so many others had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, the candidate pool had increased in size dramatically and it was an employers game. 

During this period, I signed up for Universal Credit and was provided with a work coach with whom I had regular check-ins. They helped me scout out interesting jobs that I was qualified for and supported me through numerous interviews until I eventually came across an opportunity on the Jo Cox Foundation’s careers page as a Stronger Communities Assistant. Not only was I excited by the prospect of working for an organisation like the Jo Cox Foundation, I was also grateful to see the organisation hiring for Kickstart positions since they are such a useful career opportunity for many young people.

After following the necessary Kickstart application process, I was over the moon to be offered an interview and subsequently a role as the Stronger Communities Assistant at the Jo Cox Foundation. Getting this role after job hunting for over a year of the pandemic felt like a huge weight off my shoulders, especially as the work of the Foundation aligns directly with my own interests and values. 

Alongside my role at the Jo Cox Foundation, I had 6 months of learning and personal development training with Koreo who had partnered with Kickstart. Over the 6 month period, they provided learning opportunities that supported my role and entering the civil society workspace. In virtual seminars, which often had over a hundred Kickstarters across the country attending, they provided tools which enabled me to develop practical skills which have helped me on a day-to-day level as the Stronger Communities Assistant, along with transferable skills which will aid me in my career development. These ranged from understanding how I like to work, the communication styles I find most practical and accessible, peer coaching, reflective practices, employability skills and coaching.

As this position at the Jo Cox Foundation was my first experience working as part of a team in an office environment, developing these skills has proved useful in making sure it was an easy transition. In fact, a few weeks after I completed this learning experience, the whole team at JCF created a ‘User Manual’ document, open to all to add to, to help us understand how each team member likes to work. It’s a fantastic exercise to ensure that you can work with your colleagues in the best possible way!

Alongside this personal development opportunity from Koreo, working at the Jo Cox Foundation has allowed me to expand my understanding of the important work the charity sector does and the huge role it plays in harnessing the power of community action. While at the Foundation, I have split my time working in two teams. Firstly, the Connection Coalition, a network for organisations across the country to work collectively to ensure that communities have the ability to build and strengthen social relationships. This has been such a wonderful experience, particularly in opening my eyes to the importance of the individuals behind community action. It is so important for them to have a space where they can discuss their achievements and challenges and turn to others for support and collaboration. Through this work, I’ve met some amazing individuals doing important and inspiring work to help tackle loneliness up and down the country. 

The other side of my work at the Foundation has been working on our national campaign, the Great Get Together. This has been an amazing opportunity to see the level of commitment that thousands of people across the country have towards bridging divides within their communities and harnessing the power of their community to build positive spaces where Jo’s More In Common message is celebrated. My role varied from interacting directly with organisers and attendees, to rallying support from well-known names and MPs in Westminster. I was also engaging with our audience through our fortnightly newsletter, encouraging them to get involved through organising or attending an event. It has been wonderful to hear all the amazing stories of new connections made over the last two summer campaigns. I’m certain the impact of the Great Get Together will only increase year after year. 

Working with the team at the Jo Cox Foundation has really highlighted the importance of an understanding workplace. A fundamental element of the way we all work together at the Foundation is that we understand that everyone has their own way of working and times of the day when they are at their most productive. When we came together as a team to produce our ‘how we work’ cards, I and other members of the team really felt seen and acknowledged, and a sense of trust and respect was built within the team that each individual’s way of working would be respected as much as possible. I think this is such an important exercise to do with any team, especially a team who mostly works remotely as it allows us all to better understand each other.  

I’m so grateful for my time spent at the Jo Cox Foundation and all that it has taught me and the opportunities for personal and professional development it has allowed for. From joining in May of 2021, nervous about starting my first job but excited for the challenges it would bring, to leaving a year and a half later feeling confident and with a passion to take the values of the Jo Cox Foundation forward with me in any future opportunities. I have truly enjoyed my time and am looking forward to the next steps in my career. 

World Humanitarian Day

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This World Humanitarian Day we want to celebrate the life of Jo Cox, a lifelong humanitarian, and champion some of the amazing work that has happened in her name around the world through the Jo Cox Memorial Grants.

Jo dedicated her life to helping others around the world, so it is fitting that we’ve been able to continue this dedication through the grants. We’re more interested in the real human impact of the grants, rather than big numbers, but we wanted to take the opportunity to share some of the incredible data about the number of people whose lives have been impacted. To date, we’ve delivered projects in 17 countries, reaching 82,500 people. Jo was passionate about empowering women and understood the power of building grassroots connections to make change, so it’s really fitting that over 50,000 of the people impacted are women and girls. 

At the heart of the grants is the intention to bring about long-term and sustainable change through training and support. This approach brings powerful results, as evidenced by two projects in Uganda. One, dedicated to economically empowering women through capacity-building and business skills, has seen over 500 women reporting an increase in their income since the training. Another supported women to become political leaders ahead of the 2021 general elections in Uganda. And it worked, with 75% of participants successfully winning office! To discover more about the people and projects receiving the grants, head to our Twitter or Instagram where we’re sharing stories from the grants.

We’ve also seen real success in the power of convening and of bringing the grantees together to share and learn from each other. In April 2022, five grantees came together for a learning event in Uganda. They explored what women’s empowerment means to their organisations and the women and girls their projects support, and how they can drive this important work forwards in new and creative ways.

By pooling experience and learning even more value – and even more long-term change – can come from the project. With such tangible benefits coming from the Jo Cox Memorial Grants, we’re making the case to the Government to continue the funding of these vital grants, which make such a difference in empowering women and preventing identity-based violence around the world. Continuing the funding would mean these grants can continue to make a meaningful impact in Jo’s name for years to come.

Blog: Breaking down barriers to the charity sector with the Kickstart scheme

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Our Digital Communications Officer Kira describes her experience with the Kickstart scheme and the value of real-life experiences. 

Trying to break into the charity sector as a young working-class woman was deemed impossible for myself at one point in time. Coming from a background where I had been supported by charities and understood the great impact they have on people, I knew that it was the career I wanted. However, the journey from being supported by a charity to working for one was not easy. 

Roles that all required degrees and A-levels are ultimately geared towards recruiting middle-class people. Although I faced many barriers – from the lack of experience, to not having a university degree, which is so sought after within the sector – I hoped that volunteering for various organisations and gaining new skills would one day equip me to land an interview for a dream job in the charity sector. However after 2 years of applying for roles within the sector, I became less hopeful. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic the government announced the news of the Kickstart scheme, geared at helping young people gain employment. After hearing this news, I contacted my local Jobcentre and was assigned a work coach. I explained to my work coach my frustrations with not being able to even get past the application stage to start a career in the charity sector, and the worries I had that I would always be tied down to a minimum wage job within the retail sector – unable to fulfil my passion of social justice, politics, feminism and working with communities. 

Having a work coach was a great tool in helping me utilise skills I already had and transferring them. My work coach Emma reminded me why a working-class woman like me with real-life experience and passion for raising awareness of underheard voices would be an asset to the sector and helped me regain confidence in my ability. 

In August 2021 I finally got my first role within the charity sector through the Kickstart scheme, joining the Jo Cox Foundation as a Communications Assistant. I was anxious at first about whether someone like me would fit into the role but with great support from the team I found that I finally was able to show off my ability and bring something unique to the role. As part of the Kickstart scheme I received training and 1-1 support in developing my career. 7 months later I was promoted to Digital Communications Officer with a permanent contract, and I finally felt like I found where I was meant to be. 

It was really important for me to give back and share this journey with other young people from similar backgrounds to myself. Holding a stall at my local primary school’s Year 6 Career Day confirmed to me that, although you may be living in an area of poverty and your chances of attending university are slimmer than some of your peers, never stop trying to find alternative routes to get to your dream job. Finding my dream job through the Kickstart scheme confirmed to me that the charity sector needs to do better at realising how transferable skills and real-life experience can be just as valuable as a degree.

As a woman from a working-class background, Jo Cox herself studied and worked in environments where she may have felt like an outsider, but she overcame these obstacles and inspired so many of us in the process.

– Kira Charlton

Inclusive recruitment in the charity sector

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In late 2021 we applied for the TPP inclusive recruitment grant. At The Jo Cox Foundation, we want to talk openly about how we’re on a journey to becoming a more inclusive organisation – we’re doing some things right, but we know we have more progress that we can make.

We felt hugely privileged to be chosen as the winners of the grant, and were clear from the start that we wanted to share what we learnt from this opportunity as part of our commitment to increasing diversity in the charity sector.

Working with Leighton, Donna and the team at TPP, we’ve found a fantastic candidate for our Public Affairs Manager role who started with us last month. Some of the top things we learnt that we want to share with the wider sector are:

1. Ditch the tired tropes and switch up your language

When it comes to writing a job description, it’s really easy to recycle or update one you’ve used before. But take time to ensure that everything you include is intentional. Is what you’re listing really essential, or could it be taught? Do you value experience, or desire to learn? 

And avoid using those cut-and-paste phrases like ‘excellent communication skills’ which can be off-putting for many people, including those who are neurodiverse. Reflect on what you actually mean – do you want someone who writes creatively? Or someone who’s compelling at explaining an idea or concept? Be clear about what you’re looking for. 

2. Consider the interview experience for the candidate

Last year we started sending interview questions to candidates in advance and would highly recommend that other charities adopt this as part of their recruitment. We’ve found that it makes candidates more relaxed, and able to bring more of their true selves to the interview process.

3. Examine your interview processes

Working with TPP, we’ve also made some other changes to our processes. We’ve implemented a more robust numerical scoring system, ensuring that all interviewers are judging candidates by the same criteria and removing opportunities for bias. Something that I’ve particularly taken on board is their advice to not discuss candidates between interviews. It’s so easy to express a preference when you see a great candidate, but think: might that make it less fair for the person who you see next? 

Thank you again to TPP. We hope other organisations are able to benefit from some of the things we’ve learnt. If your organisation is also working to make your recruitment process more inclusive and would like to share learnings, do get in touch.

– Su Moore, CEO of The Jo Cox Foundation

The Sixth Anniversary of Jo’s Murder

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A statement from The Jo Cox Foundation:

Six years ago today, on 16 June 2016, Jo Cox was murdered while on her way to a constituency surgery in Batley and Spen. Those closest to Jo lost a devoted mum, daughter, sister, wife, friend, and colleague. The country lost a talented parliamentarian, passionate campaigner, and life-long humanitarian.

The causes Jo cared about still demand urgent action: protecting civilians in conflict, empowering women in politics, and building less lonely, more connected communities. We miss her voice and powerful advocacy on these crucial issues.

Although Jo can’t be with us as we face today’s challenges, at The Jo Cox Foundation we are led by the values that guided Jo’s life: her sense of empathy, her belief in collaboration, and her ambition for change. Like her, we believe we have more in common than that which divides us.

The anniversary of Jo’s murder is a moment of reflection and an occasion to remember her life and legacy. As an organisation, we continue our work to bring about the kinder society that Jo dedicated her life to building – inspired always by the example that she set.

Be a part of building a positive legacy for Jo

Join the Great Get Together

Taking place next weekend from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 June 2022, community events across the UK will be celebrating Jo’s message that we have more in common than that which divides us. The first Great Get Together in 2017 took place on the anniversary of Jo’s murder, but to focus on celebrating Jo’s life instead of the way she died, her family and friends decided to move it to the weekend closest to her birthday instead. Host your own or find an event in your area.

Join our mailing list of supporters

We work to champion the causes Jo cared about. If you care about these issues too, our monthly supporter newsletter is the best way to hear news from us and how to get involved: from sharing our election Civility Pledge with your local candidates, to learning about your local More in Common group, or even applying for a job or volunteering vacancy with us. Sign up.