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The Great Get Together 2025: A Celebration of Connection

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This year marked the ninth Great Get Together since Jo Cox was killed in 2016 – and once again, communities across the UK came together to show that we have more in common than that which divides us.

From street parties and storytelling sessions to refugee-led cooking events and interfaith gatherings, the 2025 Great Get Together was a vibrant, nationwide celebration of unity. Events took place in parks, schools, care homes, and community centres, helping neighbours meet – often for the first time – and sparking friendships that continue long after the bunting comes down.

The impact was clear:

  • 88% of attendees felt a greater connection to others in their community
  • 79% met people from different backgrounds
  • 86% said they were more likely to help neighbours or others in their community
  • 89% signed up to or joined a new activity in their local area

Organisers and participants shared powerful stories of how these gatherings broke down barriers, built trust, and created spaces where people felt safe, welcomed, and valued. From refugee families leading cultural celebrations in Epsom to young and old connecting through music and crafts in Harrogate, the Great Get Together helped foster empathy, understanding, and a stronger sense of belonging.

These events didn’t just bring people together – they inspired action. Many attendees went on to volunteer, join local groups, or organise their own community initiatives. The ripple effect of kindness and connection continues to grow.

📖 Read the full 2025 Impact Report here:

2025 Impact Report

Help Us Make the 10th Anniversary Unforgettable

In June 2026, we’ll mark ten years since Jo Cox’s death – and we want next year’s Great Get Together to be the most powerful yet. But we don’t have dedicated funding to make it happen.

We’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £20,000 so we can support organisers, build partnerships, and create resources that help communities across the UK come together.

If you believe in Jo’s message – and the power of connection – please consider donating today.

Donate to our crowd funding campaign

Together, we can make next year’s Great Get Together a moment of real, lasting impact.

The Jo Cox Foundation Appoints New CEO To Lead It Into Tenth Anniversary Year

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Photograph of Olivia Field, newly appointed Chief Executive of The Jo Cox Foundation
Olivia Field, newly appointed Chief Executive of The Jo Cox Foundation

The Jo Cox Foundation is delighted to announce that Olivia Field has been appointed as the charity’s new Chief Executive. Olivia will start work in January 2026, taking over from Will Fletcher, who has acted as Interim CEO since September 2024.

The Jo Cox Foundation was created in the wake of Jo’s murder to carry forward work on issues that Jo was passionate about. The charity works in three areas: nurturing stronger communities, championing respect in politics and advocating for a fairer world. Underpinning this work is the understanding that we have more in common than that which divides us.

Olivia will join the Foundation at an important moment, as we prepare to mark the 10th anniversary of Jo’s murder in June 2026. A core part of marking the 10th anniversary will be the Great Get Together on the weekend of 19th-21st June 2026, the annual celebration of everything that unites our communities, which over the last 10 years has brought hundreds of thousands of people together through community events to celebrate unity and reject division.

Olivia Field joins The Jo Cox Foundation from the British Red Cross, where she led national advocacy on UK resilience, health and social care, and refugee support. She played a central role in tackling loneliness – serving on the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, managing the British Red Cross and Co-op loneliness partnership’s advocacy, and convening the original All-Party Parliamentary Group on Loneliness.

Olivia helped secure the country’s first cross-government loneliness strategy and later supported its implementation within government. With extensive experience in policy, research, and advocacy, Olivia brings a long-standing commitment to building connected communities and promoting respectful politics – reflecting Jo Cox’s belief that we have more in common than that which divides us.

The Jo Cox Foundation is currently asking people to support next year’s Great Get Together by donating to our crowdfunder, or by signing up to the Great Get Together mailing list to stay updated about the campaign, including how you can plan your own event. Together with your support, we can make the 10th anniversary our most unifying and impactful yet – a celebration powered by the people and communities who believe in Jo’s ‘more in common’ message and live it every day.

Announcing the appointment, Jan Royall, chair of the Jo Cox Foundation, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Olivia as our new Chief Executive. With her wealth of experience and proven leadership, she will guide the Foundation into its next chapter with vision and energy. Olivia will build on Jo’s legacy and the remarkable progress of the past decade, ensuring we continue to meet society’s challenges by empowering communities, bringing people together, fostering social cohesion, and tackling loneliness. She will also be a strong voice in championing respect in politics, helping us create a healthier and more hopeful democracy.”

Olivia Field said:

“As we approach ten years since Jo’s death, I am honoured to lead The Jo Cox Foundation. This anniversary reminds us how critically Jo’s vision matters today – urging us to strengthen communities, restore a more respectful politics, and remember that we have more in common than that which divides us.

“Looking to the decade ahead, my focus is on deepening Jo’s legacy: bringing people together, renewing hope, and helping communities bridge divides in ways that are meaningful, inclusive and lasting. With the Great Get Together next year, we have a powerful opportunity to celebrate connection and everything that unites us.”

Jo’s sister Kim Leadbeater MP said:

“I am delighted to welcome Olivia as the new CEO of Jo’s Foundation. She has a proven track record of campaigning and is a passionate advocate for many of the issues Jo cared about. I am looking forward to working with her and the rest of the team at the Jo Cox Foundation ahead of the 10th anniversary of Jo’s murder to remember my sister and champion the values she held, which are so important in bringing our communities and our country together.”

Jo’s widower Brendan Cox said:

“Olivia will be a fantastic CEO with a track record of fighting on the issues Jo cared about. As we approach the ten year anniversary of Jo’s murder, Olivia is the right person to help the Foundation have even more impact in the next decade.”

Help Us Raise £20,000 for Next Year’s Great Get Together

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Next year’s Great Get Together will take place from 19-21 June 2026. It will be a powerful moment to mark ten years since Jo Cox MP was killed – a tragic event that shocked the nation but also sparked a movement for unity, compassion, and connection. This legacy lives on through the Great Get Together, a nationwide celebration that brings people together across divides.

But here’s the truth:
The dedicated funding that once supported the Great Get Together has now come to an end.

But with your help, we can make the 10th anniversary our most unifying and impactful yet – a celebration powered by the people and communities who believe in Jo’s message and live it every day.

That’s why today, we’re launching our crowdfunding campaign to raise £20,000, and we’re asking for your support.

Donate to our crowdfunding campaign now

Why This Matters Now

The UK is more divided than ever. Political tensions, rising hate, and social isolation are tearing at the fabric of our communities. The Great Get Together is a joyful, grassroots response – a chance to bring people together across divides and show what community really means.

Next year’s Great Get Together isn’t just another set of summer gatherings. It’s a chance to honour Jo’s legacy, heal divisions, and show what community really means.

Be Part of Something Bigger

This is your chance to stand up for unity. To say “no” to division and “yes” to community. To honour Jo Cox’s legacy in the most powerful way possible – by bringing people together.

If you can’t donate, you can still help: share this fundraiser, organise your own event, or simply show your support by attending a Great Get Together.

❤️ Together, we can demonstrate that we have more in common than that which divides us.

What Your Donation Will Do

We’re aiming to raise £20,000 and every pound will go directly toward making next year’s Great Get Together bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever.

Your support will enable us to:

  • 👥 Dedicate extra staff time to coordinate the national campaign and support hundreds of local organisers
  • 🤝 Build partnerships with other organisations so we can reach as many communities as possible across the UK
  • 🛠️ Design practical, inspiring resources to help organisers plan inclusive, meaningful events
  • 🖨️ Print and distribute physical materials – banners, posters, activity packs, and more – that organisers can use on the day to bring people together

This isn’t just about one campaign. It’s about creating a ripple effect of kindness, empathy, and community across the country. With your help, we can make sure the 10th anniversary of Jo Cox’s legacy is a moment of real, lasting impact.

Donate to our crowdfunding campaign now

Whether you can give £5 or £500, every donation helps us honour Jo’s legacy and bring people together when it’s needed most.

Thank you for being part of this movement.

A Renewed Call to Action to Address Abuse in Politics in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

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The Jo Cox Civility Commission advocates for the implementation of recommendations to address the problem of violence, abuse and intimidation of elected representatives on national and local levels, across the nations and regions of the UK. 

In January 2024 we launched our first Call to Action with 28 recommendations. Since then, the main areas of progress have been in police and security. A new dedicated police resource – Operation FORD – for local government representatives has been implemented. The 2024 elections were the first in which security costs were exempt from election spending limits – and the Scottish and Welsh governments have both announced that the same provision will be in place for the 2026 elections. 

While our recommendations are applicable to all levels of government, we know that the devolved nations may have particular issues when it comes to abuse in politics and, crucially, specific powers to promote respectful politics. We are creating a specific Call to Action to address abuse in politics in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which will be launched in January 2026. Over the coming months, we will engage widely to create specific recommendations to safeguard democracy for all. 

Abuse and intimidation impacts the functioning of our democracy. Politicians may avoid certain political activities and policy discussions. People who would make excellent changemakers may be put off participating in politics because of abuse. All of these impacts are particularly disproportionate on women and others already under-represented in our democracy – groups of people whose participation makes our democracy more representative and, therefore, stronger. 

Growing evidence indicates that abuse towards elected representatives is becoming – or perhaps already has become – a ‘normal’ part of politics. Some recent figures: 

  • The Electoral Commission found that over half of 2024 election candidates who responded to its survey felt they had some kind of problem with harassment, intimidation, or abuse. Female respondents and respondents from ethnic minority backgrounds more likely to report having experienced serious abuse.
  • In the latest LGA Debate Not Hate survey, 70% of councillors in England and Wales reported experiencing abuse or intimidation in the last year. This number was higher for women and those from ethnic minorities (84%) and for the LGBT+ councillors and disabled respondents (85%). 
  • Three quarters (75%) of the Senedd Members and Wales constituency MPs who responded to a ITV Cymru Wales survey in 2024 said that there were times they felt unsafe in their role. 
  • According to Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) data, gender-based online abuse of MSPs increased more than a hundred-fold in a year between 2023 and 2024 
  • Earlier this year, politicians in Northern Ireland spoke to the BBC about the extent of abuse, including death and rape threats against themselves and their children.

Clearly, more action is needed to address abuse and change culture. Collaboration and partnership is key to safeguarding our democracy. We are pleased to have forged and continue to develop strong partnerships across different sectors and across the political spectrum. 

Recently, we have visited The Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Senedd to meet with a range of partners to discuss existing progress and much-needed change. Shared challenges include limited action by social media companies to address abuse on their platforms, and the impacts on staff and families of elected representatives. Shared opportunities include increases in cross-border collaboration to fight crime, and broader  cross-sector willingness to address abuse and promote respectful and diverse political culture. 

Over the coming months, we will continue to engage and collaborate widely to create practical recommendations that bring us closer to our long-term vision of a political culture in which diversity is celebrated and robust debate brings us closer in the spirit of Jo’s message that “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.”

If you would like to help shape the recommendations for the ‘Jo Cox Civility Commission Call to Action to Address Abuse in Politics in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’, please email [email protected]. 

Refugee Families Take Centre Stage at Epsom’s Great Get Together

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Refugee families were at the heart of Epsom’s Great Get Together in June— bringing the day to life with crafts, cooking and musical performances. Attended by over 400 people, the event was co-hosted by Good Company and Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network as part of Refugee Week. It was a vibrant celebration of shared culture, connection, and community — bringing people together across backgrounds to build understanding and a sense of belonging.

We spoke to Nina Kaye at Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network, about what made the day so special — and why supporting refugees to take centre stage made all the difference.

Bringing ‘More in Common’ to Life

“For refugees who have left behind family, friends and culture, building community again in a new country is difficult. Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network has always prided itself in being a bridge to help connect refugees with people and organisations where they can start to build new relationships and find opportunities to give them a voice in our community. Our values align so closely with Jo Cox’s ‘more in common’ message, that it made sense to be part of the national programme.”

Feeling Seen, Heard and Valued

The Great Get Together created a warm and welcoming space where refugees, asylum seekers and local residents could come together, relax, and enjoy themselves.

“There was so much enjoyment, laughter, warmth and friendship among all the refugees and asylum seekers who attended.”

The event’s warm and welcoming atmosphere was the result of thoughtful planning to ensure everyone felt included, safe and valued — something that clearly resonated with attendees, as shown in a heartfelt message from an Eritrean refugee who has been supported by the network for six years:

“Thank you so much for organising this beautiful Family Day event. Today was truly unforgettable, filled with love, warmth, and a deep sense of safety. It was inspiring to see so many vulnerable refugee families brought together with the wonderful Epsom community. Thank you for creating such a special atmosphere and for all your efforts.”

Building Community Connections

The day in Epsom showed how events that intentionally create opportunities for refugees and local residents to meet, relax, and celebrate side by side can foster shared experiences that can powerfully shift community relationships.

“There is nothing quite like sharing food, music and sport for people to realise how much they have in common. When different groups of people come together to share a good experience, it makes everyone realise that they can connect with people who come from different backgrounds and have such varied life-experiences.”

One of the event’s greatest achievements was supporting refugees to participate in ways that mattered to them.

“Everyone left with a feeling of happiness and contentment. Many of the clients we support were helping on the day with craft, cooking and entertainment. It was really important to them that they were able to take an active role in delivering the event.”

Thanks to a legacy donor and corporate sponsor, the entire event was free—including entrance, entertainment, food, and activities—making it accessible to everyone. Families enjoyed a variety of activities and diverse foods like Turkish gözleme, Afghan biryani, and homemade treats, plus free ice cream for every child. Entertainment featured Epsom’s Ukrainian choir, a refugee brass band, and a Disney sing-along. Attendees were also given the option to opt out of photos with bright green stickers to respect their privacy. MP, Helen Maguire, and mayor, Robert Leach, were there for the whole time, talking to everyone and enjoying themselves—something that meant a lot to the organisers and those at the event.

Looking Ahead

The event has sparked enthusiasm and confidence among the refugee community to participate in more local activities. A number of the refugees who took part have already said they would be keen to support similar community events in the future.

“We are looking for opportunities for the Ukrainian choir and some of the ladies who do craft to attend other local events. The Great Get Together has definitely given them more confidence to be seen at other community events.”

Would you like support with organising a Great Get Together that brings people together across different backgrounds in 2026? Contact us at [email protected] or visit our resources page

Find out more about Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network here 

The Jo Cox Foundation Names Baroness Jan Royall as Chair of Trustees

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Photograph of Jan Royall
photo (c) John Cairns

The Jo Cox Foundation is delighted to announce that Jan Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, has been appointed as the charity’s new Chair by the Board of Trustees, and will take up the role in September 2025.

The move comes following the departure of the Rt Hon Jacqui Smith as Chair in July 2024, since which time Rosamund Blomfield-Smith has led the Board of Trustees in the capacity of Interim Chair.

The Jo Cox Foundation was created in the wake of Jo’s murder to carry forward work on issues that Jo was passionate about. The charity works in three areas: nurturing stronger communities, championing respect in politics and advocating for a fairer world. Underpinning this work is the understanding that we have more in common than that which divides us.

Each year since Jo’s murder, the Foundation has helped to organise the Great Get Together, an annual celebration of everything that unites our communities, which since its inception has brought hundreds of thousands of people together through community events to celebrate unity and reject division.

Get Togethers are held across the country every year to remember Jo and the ‘more in common’ values she stood for. The annual ‘Great Parliamentary Get Together’ was held for the first time in the Speaker’s House at Westminster last month.

Jo’s sister Kim Leadbeater MP was joined by senior political figures including former Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak and Theresa May, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper and the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. MPs from across the House, staff members and representatives of organisations supporting issues that Jo cared about joined the event. Jo and Kim’s parents, Gordon and Jean Leadbeater, and Jo’s children, Cuillin and Lejla were special guests.

This year’s Great Get Together was held over the weekend of 20-22 June with thousands of people attending community events that took place all over the country, from a Craft and Craic in Belfast and a walk on the Isle of Wight, to a tri-nations kabaddi showdown in Hartlepool and a Sunday lunch that brought Jewish and Muslim women together.

Jan has had a distinguished career in public life, notably serving as Chief Whip in the House of Lords and then Leader of the House from 2008-2010. She also served as Shadow Leader of the House of Lords from 2010-2015.

Prior to her parliamentary career, she was a senior adviser in the European Commission before heading its representation in Wales. In 2004 she was appointed to the Lords as Baroness Royall of Blaisdon and in 2005 became a Government Spokesperson for Health, International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Jan stepped down from frontbench politics in 2015, and since 2017 she has been Principal of Somerville College, a role from which she will step down this August. 

Jan is a trustee, patron and active supporter of many other charities and organizations including Full Fact, the Centre for Opposition Studies, Asylum Welcome and the ASHA Centre. She is co-chair of the Oxford inclusive Economy Partnership.  She was formerly chair of the People’s History Museum, Pro Chancellor of the University of Bath and Vice President of the Party of European Socialists.

Commenting on her appointment, Baroness Jan Royall said:

“It is a privilege to be the new Chair of the brilliant Jo Cox Foundation, to carry forward its work fostering change in our communities, in politics and in the world.  This very special charity, guided by my friend Jo’s vision and values, becomes more relevant by the day with the need to bridge deep divisions in our society, restore respect in our politics and champion social justice in our world.”

Interim Chair of The Jo Cox Foundation, Rosamund Blomfield-Smith said:

“It has been a great privilege to serve as the interim chair of the Jo Cox Foundation for the past year but I look forward with great pleasure to handing over the reins to Jan. I am delighted that someone of her calibre, strength of character and commitment to so many of the causes and qualities which Jo held dear has accepted the challenge of leading the brilliant organisation founded in Jo’s name at this exciting time and I look forward to working with Jan over the years to come.”

Jo’s sister Kim Leadbeater MP said:

“I’m delighted to see Jan Royall taking up the role of JCF chair. Like Jo she is a strong woman driven by compassion and a powerful determination to make a difference. She brings huge experience and expertise to the job and I look forward to working with her on the many issues that Jo cared about.”

Jo’s widower Brendan Cox said:

“Jo was a huge fan of Jan’s and they worked closely together over many years. She’d be delighted Jan has agreed to chair the foundation in her name.”

The Ninth Anniversary of Jo’s Murder

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Photo of Jo Cox MP

Statement from The Jo Cox Foundation

Nine years ago today, on 16 June 2016, Jo Cox was murdered while on her way to a surgery in her constituency of Batley and Spen. Jo’s murder was an immeasurable tragedy for her family and friends, but also for British democracy.

In the days that followed we saw an outpouring of love and solidarity both in the UK and around the world. Communities came together to remember Jo and reject hate, inspired by the message from her maiden speech: “We have more in common than that which divides us.”

Since Jo’s murder we have seen society become more divided and increasingly polarised. This means that Jo’s message of unity remains just as relevant today as it was nine years ago.

At The Jo Cox Foundation we share Jo’s belief that, together, we can strengthen communities to become less lonely, better connected, and more united. Next weekend (20-22 June) communities will be celebrating what unites us and rejecting division at Great Get Togethers across the UK, inspired by Jo’s “more in common” message.

The ninth anniversary of Jo Cox’s murder today offers a moment for us to reflect, and to remember Jo’s life and the change she made. It’s also an opportunity for us to recommit to working towards the kinder, fairer and more tolerant world that she believed in, as we endeavour to do every day through our work at The Jo Cox Foundation.

Help us to make change, inspired by Jo Cox

Join the Great Get Together

Taking place next weekend from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 June 2025, 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 on our map.

Get involved
Photo of someone holding a placard that says Jo's more in common quote.

Join our community of supporters

We make change on issues that Jo Cox was passionate about – from stronger communities, to respectful politics, and a fairer world. If you care about these issues too, signing up for our monthly supporter newsletter is the best way to hear news from us and how to get involved.

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Manchester More in Common partnership celebrates volunteers’ commitment to community

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Manchester More in Common partnership began working together in 2024 around a shared goal of cohesion across Manchester. The partnership brings together various organisations and groups including National Trust, City Year UK, Groundswell Project, People’s History Museum, Manchester University Students’ Union and gunnercooke Foundation.

In February, the partnership held their first event together. Each partner felt it was important to create space for the volunteers across Manchester to feel appreciated and celebrated. In effect, the event was an opportunity to express gratitude towards the individuals who make meaningful contributions to the community. The event was held at the People’s History Museum, so people didn’t need to look far to see the importance of community and connection!

Attendees had the opportunity to work with a local artist to create moss heart decorations to take home. These were a great way for them to relax and channel their creativity whilst also building connections with others in an informal setting.

Other activities included an at-home growing kit for everyone to take home with them. The kit included coriander, chilli, basil, radish and tomato seeds. These kits are an opportunity for each individual to create space for stillness and appreciation for months to come. 

Already, some people have reconnected and planned ways to work together in the future. Attendees from the Nigerian Community of Greater Manchester hosted representatives from Manchester University Students’ Union and the Incredible Edible and Tree Musketeers student groups. Connections were deepened and strengthened over plates of jollof rice and plenty of good conversations.

We can’t wait to see what the Partnership does next!  The Manchester More in Common partnership is a member of a nationwide network of groups and partnerships that share a common value of community. If you are interested in joining the More in Common network or would like to know more, email us at [email protected]

More In Common Nottingham Women’s Group: A Great Winter Get Together art exhibition

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Dr Sally Olewe-Richards

Chair, Empowered Women UK and founder of the More In Common Nottingham Women’s Group

Sally Olewe-Richards set up the community group Empowered Women UK in 2022 to get funding to run workshops and gatherings for women from a diverse range of backgrounds around Nottingham. In 2023 they set up a Women’s More in Common group and held their first art exhibition at a local community centre in January this year. Here we speak to Sally about the build up to the exhibition and what it has meant for the community and the women involved.

Dr Sally Olewe-Richards at the Nottingham Great Winter Get Together art exhibition

The build up to the exhibition: A Beautiful Success and Growing Confidence

“In 2023, I secured funding to run women’s art wellbeing activities as part of our More In Common work in Nottingham. I reached out to Marija, a local artist, to run a workshop for the Great Get Together in June. At first, she was hesitant because she’s self-taught and creates for her own wellbeing, she also wasn’t sure about whether people would be accepting of her being Lithuanian. But after I reassured her it would be a safe space, she agreed, and we included her background on the event posters as she requested.

The event was a huge success, and the women who attended asked if the art workshops could be held more frequently. So, from October to December 2024, we paid Marija to lead a fortnightly session for us at a local community center, with 6 to 9 women attending. We had great feedback from them about how it was boosting their confidence and well-being. Marija, too, was growing in confidence and suggested we showcase the women’s art. So, we worked with the community center, and in January, we held an exhibition for the Great Winter Get Together.

Exhibiting the Work: A Celebration of Community and Art for the Great Winter Get Together

We had the small ‘opening’ event, where we provided soft drinks and a chance for people from the community to come together and socialise. The artwork is spread across the cafe and hall at the centre and it will be in place for a few weeks. 

Everyone has been really thrilled and it’s helped to build confidence. It’s a very white British area, so seeing artwork from a range of local women, including those from Ukraine and Lithuania, has helped make them feel more accepted and created a different dialogue within the centre. At the event there were people with physical and learning disabilities, those from the black African community, LGBT+ attendees and a range of ages from a baby to 70s.

One of our attendees is here from Ukraine under refugee status. She really enjoyed the session and it gave her and Marija (the art workshop leader) a chance to converse in Russian together, which they both greatly appreciated. Kateryna’s work has been very popular and admired at the community centre cafe and she is keen to do more sessions. 

For me, I’ve grown up in this area but haven’t been involved with the community much until recently. Partnering with the community centre to run the art wellbeing sessions and then this exhibition for Great Winter Get Together has allowed me to feel a greater sense of belonging and to get to know more people in the area.

It’s all been really positive and well received and the community centre manager has said the art work has created a great talking point for people coming to the centre. It’s also attracted a few people who’d not used the centre before but went along for the event and have now started to use the cafe (including myself!).

Visitors to the Nottingham Great Winter Get Together art exhibition view the artworks on display

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the More In Common Nottingham Women’s Group?

The manager of the community centre is delighted with the outcome of the exhibition, so it’s been really positive and we hope to run a few more across February and March. We will be running more art well-being sessions as we know there is a desire for them. I have been into the community centre cafe 1-2 times a week since the event and recognised people to chat to, whereas before I never went in there.

For one of the women from the group, it has led to her taking on a public artwork piece at a local hospital:

I loved the abstract art sessions so much so it has given me the confidence and inspiration to paint a picture for our local children’s hospital, in remembrance of my late mum who worked there. The joy of art and sharing it to make others feels better is just a gift.

After connecting with Kateryna, from Ukraine, and becoming aware of the need for women from Ukraine to have more befriending support, we have applied for funding to see if we can pay her on a freelance basis to run a project from March 2025 – we are waiting to hear the funding outcome. Whether we’re successful or not, it’s a nice outcome for her that she’s made new friends and knows that we believe and trust in her abilities.

Taking the Middle Ground:  How to respond to extreme views in your area

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Participants of the Common Room event in Cardiff in July 2024 gained new insight into how the far right work from workshop facilitator Gareth Harris.

Tracey Brown from Rubicon Dance said that:

Hearing from someone with the knowledge, experience and view points that Gareth has – a training like no other I have done before in terms of the subject matter. It was incredibly useful and important to hear and see different perspectives.

The aims of the session were to 

  • get an overview of anti-minority action in the UK particularly Wales
  • share our knowledge and experience of responding to anti-minority extremism
  • hear practical examples on how to deal with anti-minority organisations
  • explore ideas for how we can take action in our communities to be protected against extremism and reduce our vulnerability

Gareth explained the importance of Narratives:

  • A narrative is a story that sets an event(s) into a meaningful context
  • An interpretation of the world from a specific perspective
  • How persuasive a narrative is, is supported by the credibility of who is telling it and …
  • Rests on pre-existing knowledge/lived experience and the wider context
  • People/narratives compete for credibility
  • Extremists use narratives to support their views of the world & gain support

People shared their knowledge and experience of responding to anti-minority extremism in the Cardiff area and what works to counter this.

We watched a film of a community meeting which involved people expressing genuine grievances, attributing blame to people seeking asylum and migrants. 

 We broke into groups to discuss a scenario, with five questions:

  1. What are the risks?
  2. Underlying grievances? – How do you know and how do we address them?
  3. Agencies/ orgs/ individuals to talk to
  4. What would be your messaging?
  5. Practical steps? Who should take them?

Thirty two people took part in the Common Room session, sharing ideas about what makes a narrative credible and the effects of anti minority action, how to find out underlying grievances in communities and how to build trust to give people confidence that they are being heard.

What did people get from the Common Room?

People left with a sense of connection to others working to counter hate and felt strongly that they were likely to use the knowledge gained from this session in their work.

Laura from More In Common Llantwit Major found it was:

A useful, well considered and timely session with real examples. It was a practical informative session which helped clarify actions to take and most importantly what to look out for regarding fake posts intended to divide.

What did we learn? 

  1. Communities which have systemically been “left behind”, lack investment and engagement in democratic processes and those which experience trauma are targetted by anti-minority groups. The key to building the strength of local communities to resist anti-minority groups is to listen and build trust and respond effectively to their genuine concerns. 
  2. We have to work with the legitimate grievances that people have, not lecture people or overwhelm them with facts/ stats. We need to listen to people and respond to show we have heard them and how we are going to act on their concerns. This depends on honesty and engagement with the community for the long term. Politicians and public organisations need to work with the community. This is critical to counter feelings of being done to, and powerless. It’s also important to have trusted messengers to share credible narratives.
  3. An in-person Common Room event connected people, increased their knowledge, strengthened collaboration and boosted membership of the local More In Common Partnership. People at the event shared resources with each other after the event to support local action.

Shockingly, within a week of the event, a series of violent protests took place around the country, instigated by some of the anti-minority groups which Gareth informed us of.  This involved people who were expressing their concerns about their communities such as poverty, violence against women and lack of resources.  It reinforced our learning and the need for more opportunities to have conversations about building trust and bridging divides in communities. 

Join the Cardiff Together More In Common Partnership 

You are invited to join the Cardiff Together More In Common Partnership. For information contact Nick and Adam at [email protected]

What’s next?

In 2025 we are holding series 5 of the Common Room programme in Cardiff, Nottingham and Stoke on Trent, and one online, between March and June, working with Gareth Harris for some of them. These events will be by invite only, to keep the spaces safe and focussed. However we are always keen to speak with potential collaborators, so if you would like more information or to arrange a chat please email [email protected]. 

We are planning our More In Common In Action conference in Manchester in May, an opportunity for More In Common Groups and Partnerships and interested individuals to share learning and ideas for action. Please sign up to the More In Common Newsletter at the bottom of this page if you would like to know what’s coming up.

Troubling conversations in everyday settings

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There are many things we can do in our communities to disrupt division, one of the most important is dialogue based on genuine listening.  This was one of the things participants valued about the Common Room in Bradford in July 2024 – taking away a recognition of the value of listening.

Two facilitators from Who Is Your Neighbour? led our Common Room in Bradford. Who Is Your Neighbour? has for 15 years been holding conversations. These welcome difficult subjects like race, immigration and culture and aim to disrupt divisive influences. Rooted in and working around South Yorkshire, WiYN? also supports others who seek to bridge divides, build trust and cope well with change in their unique context.

The aims of the session were to:

  • have experienced a difficult conversation in a different way
  • feel hope and possibility that difficult conversations are possible and can end well
  • be curious to know more about Who Is Your Neighbour? approach

What we did at the session…

We were invited to identity our gut response to hearing troubling things. This was to help us be aware of things that have a strong impact on us, that “push our buttons”. We reflected on what happens to us when we hear those things? This self awareness is very valuable to help us decide how to react.

Violet explained that we have options when we decide how to respond. We can:

  • shut it down
  • open it up
  • walk away
  • something else

Deciding what to do in reaction to hearing a troubling topic

There are a range of options for responding to troubling topics which include opening up a conversation.

The facilitators set out the room into 4 areas, and invited us to move into a different area, depending on what we thought we might be most likely to do in response to different statements.

To help us decide how we want to respond, we were offered a few questions:

  • Where are you?
  • Who else is around?
  • What’s your role?
  • Do you need to consider your safety and wellbeing?
  • Do you need to consider the safety and wellbeing of others?
  • Do you need to think about impact on relationships
  • Do you feel confident having this conversation?
  • What are your red lines, the things that are completely unacceptable?

Opening up a conversation

The facilitators role played a bus stop conversation, on a troubling topic which led to an argument. They replayed it using some of the techniques below to open up the conversation without provoking aggression.

Techniques included:

  • Reframing what someone says
  • Asking questions to understand
  • Acknowledging the speaker’s experience
  • Acknowledging the speaker’s fears or worries
  • Encouraging curiosity about the other people the speaker is talking about

Reframing is a way of restating what someone says to achieve one or more of the following:

  • Eliminate blame, accusation or derogatory content
  • Identify the underlying need or concern
  • Emphasise a goal the person wants to achieve
  • Change a negative statement into a positive one

Once you’re in a conversation you might judge that continuing with it isn’t the best thing to do. It could be going nowhere and things might be becoming entrenched. You can shut it down or walk away, or something else, at any point.

What did people get from the Common Room?

Joanne from LS14 Trust found the bus stop scenario showed her “how to change the conversation”.

Many people said they valued making connections with other course participants, and sharing information and resources including those for working with young people to talk about conflict, build empathy and promote cohesion.

Pete said:

Thanks to everyone who showed up. I think it’s ABOUT showing up! I took away [the] power there is in really listening, and equally the satisfaction in being heard by my peers. I talked with several people and felt their passion at the training.

What did we learn?

  1. Self awareness and critical reflection on our practice is an essential skill for community workers, and the encouragement to pause and notice our gut reactions to troubling topics reminded us of the value of this. We learned the topics that give us the strongest reaction, and how we typically respond to sensitive topics.
  2. It is possible to have better conversations on troubling topics, when we choose too, by reframing what we hear, to genuinely listen to understand how people are feeling and their underlying concerns. We became aware of the options available when we are deciding how to respond. This increased our confidence with possibly choosing to open up a troubling conversation in some circumstances.
  3. There many connections made between people working across Yorkshire at this in-person session, with a lot of interest in follow up conversations and further training.

The Common Room session was unexpectedly timely, as within a month of the event, a series of violent protests took place around the country including in Leeds. This involved people who were expressing their concerns about their communities such as poverty, violence against women and lack of resources.

It reinforced our learning and the need for more opportunities to have conversations about building trust and bridging divides in communities.

The WIYN? approach offers a format for listening and supporting communities who are fearful and have needs that are not being met, to talk about their genuine concerns which are expressed as hate, mistrust and prejudice.

Find out more on their website https://whoisyourneighbour.org.uk/

WIYN? offer:

  • in-depth / follow-on training on ‘how to respond to troubling conversations in everyday settings’
  • facilitated conversations about immigration, race, cultural difference
  • training and support in holding facilitated conversations

Exploring bridging and belonging in North Kirklees

We’re pleased to have received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for an 18-month project (May 2024 – October 2025) to help us bring communities together through a series of events in Batley, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike. These events will explore the themes of community, place and belonging, and will help us create a shared vision for the future of the area. To find out more please contact [email protected]

What’s next?

In 2025 we are holding series 5 of the Common Room programme in Cardiff, Nottingham and Stoke on Trent, and one online, between March and June, working with Who Is Your Neighbour? for some of them. These events will be by invite only, to keep the spaces safe and focussed. However we are always keen to speak with potential collaborators, so if you would like more information or to arrange a chat please email [email protected].

We are planning our More In Common In Action conference in Manchester in May, an opportunity for More In Common Groups and Partnerships and interested individuals to share learning and ideas for action. Please sign up to the More In Common Newsletter at the bottom of this page if you would like to know what’s coming up.

Bridging Divides through Social Action

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Community Organising is a trusted approach to building power in communities to enable Social Action to tackle social injustice..

In June 2024,  The Jo Cox Foundation was joined by the Faith and Belief Forum (Walsall) and Under One Roof (Stoke) online for a Common Room session. 

Hearing from projects in different areas of the West Midlands gave examples of ways to bridge divides through social action. Martin, an independent researcher, appreciated hearing from these “two exemplary practices for bridging communities and faiths”.

The aims of this session were to: 

  • learn about the Community Organising Framework for Social Action
  • hear practical examples of what helps to build trust and bridge divides in communities
  • share our experiences of developing relationships, connecting diverse people, learning from each other and taking action on shared concerns.
  • develop ideas for things we can do to bring diverse people together in a way that leads to social change

Poet and Creative Producer Gabriella Gay has been working on the Under One Roof Community Heritage Project in Stoke on Trent. 

Gabriella invited everyone to bring an object to show which would help them talk about their culture for 3 minutes in a small group.

Laura really liked this Culture Share activity at the start and said “I’d like to work with that more when working with diverse groups in the future”

Under One Roof is led by St Mark’s Church and All the Small Things Social Action Hub. All the Small Things listen in, and support communities to tackle shared concerns. All the Small Things approach is underpinned by the Community Organising Framework for Social Action. 

Through recent listening one of the priorities people are gathering around is community cohesion.

Under One Roof engaged Poet and Creative Producer Gabriella Gay as an artist in residence. She is a Trinidad born page-stage poet, artist, vintage dealer,  qualified teacher, PhD researcher and creative producer based in Staffordshire. Gabby is regularly commissioned to perform, write, organise events and facilitate workshops for a wide range of organisations including the BBC,  the NHS and The National Theatre.  She is the founding member of Stoke’s Roaming Poets and Kwanzaa Collective UK.

Gabriella spent some months with local communities trying to find out where they congregate, their relationship to St. Mark’s and listen to them reflect on the past, present and future of St. Mark’s church and Shelton. Gabriella presented The Problem and Vision as she saw it: 

How can St. Mark’s reflect and celebrate the richness of the ethnically diverse communities that surround it?  

How can it be an asset to the community, and a place where a wider mix of ethnically diverse groups see it a place to congregate?

Gabby organised four Culture Share events in Shelton for Under One Roof.  Key Ingredients of Culture Share are : 

  • Invitation to come together and share something from your culture, family or heritage… a song, a story, a ritual, a dance, a dish! Or simply come to connect with friends old and new. Each had up to 5 minutes to share something. 
  • Music
  • Food

Gabby reached out into the wider Shelton area, listened to people of different faiths and identities and formed relationships with cultural leaders locally to co-design events with them. 

  • NORSACA African Caribbean Community Centre – 50 people. 
  • St. Mark’s Primary School – 53 parents and young people. 
  • Stepping Stones Islamic Community Centre – 35 women and girls.  
  • St. Mark’s Church – 140 people from diverse communities including people who had taken part in the previous 3 events.

Gabriella’s key learning was:

  • Be open to learning – including the importance of visuals such as world maps; to talk slowly and be considerate of people who have English as a second language; to plan for breaks; to curate events to have a range of music, dancing etc. and seek permission for photographs,
  • Adapt, Respond, Be Flexible – especially learning the importance of key religious times of the year and day for different communities.
  • Importance of Cultural Differences and Nuances, particularly dance, photography and communication e.g. one Culture Share event was for women only and we photographed mainly hands and back of heads.
  • Logistics Really Matter! 
  • The importance of regular gathering and community support

The relationships with community organisations have continued, with Gabriella volunteering at a local Asylum Seekers support organisation and at Stepping Stones. She has worked on another project at St Mark’s Primary School and was invited to support them to organise their own Culture Share events including their Summer Fayre held in the Churchyard. 

Martin reflected he was “Struck by Gabriella finding communities did not have many existing cross-links, and understood that schools are a social and cultural as well as an educational resource themselves.”

Mahmooda Qureshi from the Faith and Belief Forum shared her experience of leading Solihull Faith Action Project. Mahmooda is a Community Organiser, and also works for The Ella Baker School of Organising. 

The Faith and Belief Forum work to build good relations between people of all faiths and beliefs, and to create a society where difference is celebrated. They create spaces in schools, universities, workplaces and the wider community where people can engage with questions of belief and identity and meet people different from themselves. 

In August 2022, the Faith New Deal (FND) initiative commissioned projects across the UK to explore possibilities of new partnerships between Faith-Based Organisation (FBOs) and statutory services. This initiative came as a response to the Kruger report, quoted above, which called for a “new deal” between government and faith communities, “actively supporting the extraordinary work of organisations of all faiths.”  

The Solihull Faith Action project involved:

  • sessions to staff at Solihull Council – two Faith Inclusion Skills Workshops and one Encountering Faiths & Beliefs Webinar
  • 40+ individual chats with members of diverse faith communities identifying their:
    • Concerns
    • Hopes 
    • Fears
    • Their relationship with the council 
  • recruitment of 14 representatives from faith-based organisations to take part in the project
  • a programme of sessions with faith-based organisations
    • 6 Social Action Workshops
      • Getting to know one another
      • Principles of working together
      • Listening Campaign
      • Mapping issues in Solihull 
      • Action Planning
      • Action & Evaluation
    • 1 information session led by Solihull Council ‘Understanding how the council works’
    • 1 Networking Event – the group presented action plans to the community and the Solihull Council leadership

Actions following the project include:

  • 3 organisations registered as Place of Welcome 
  • Fill out 7 food bank boxes during Ramadhan 
  • Run Multi-faith walks 
  • Add our projects on Solihull Council Map 
  • Join the Food Bank Network 

Mahmooda reflected that having the Local Authority  initiate the programme was important. It showed that our communities are recognised & valued. Other things that helped included:

  • Shared decision making
  • Meeting frequently in various faith related places
  • Having creative visual tools such as the large map of Solihull had impact.
  • Networking at and between events including on WhatsApp

You can join the Facebook page Solihull Faith Action Project for regular updates on what’s happening and look out on the council website.

One participant said they learned about “the challenges and barriers experienced by speakers when running their events, and the ways they overcame these barriers.

What did we learn? 

  1. Community Organising enables community workers to connect people in communities over shared concerns to build power for collective action to tackle inequalities. This starts with reaching out and listening. 
  2. The Culture Share activity is very adaptable and can take 15 minutes or 3 hours, can be done online or in person and is effective in enabling people to better understand each other. The co-design process is critical, to build trusting relationships which make the events inclusive and welcoming, and allow the relationships to continue beyond the events. The events act as sparks to enable people to understand each other and bridge divides longer term. 
  3. Solihull Faith Action project demonstrated that with time to get to know each other, people from diverse faith communities who do not usually mix, can learn, plan and take action together. Bringing those people together with the local Council, each learning from the other, can build trust between the Faith sector and local authority.

The Common Room session was unexpectedly timely, as within 3 months of the event, a series of violent protests took place around the country including in Leeds. This involved people who were expressing their concerns about their communities such as poverty, violence against women and lack of resources. 

It reinforced our learning that building trust and bridging divides in communities relies on connecting people over shared concerns to build power and take action together. 

Check out these resources

Watch the Common Room recording here

The Community Organising Framework

Community Organisers Ltd training – regular free taster training sessions online, full courses online and in person for a fee. All the Small Things run this training in Stoke-on-Trent – for information about the next course please contact [email protected] 

What’s next?

In 2025 we are holding series 5 of the Common Room programme in Cardiff, Nottingham and Stoke on Trent, and one online, between March and June. These events will be by invite only, to keep the spaces safe and focussed. However we are always keen to speak with potential collaborators, so if you would like more information or to arrange a chat please email [email protected]. 

We are planning our More In Common In Action conference in Manchester in May, an opportunity for More In Common Groups and Partnerships and interested individuals to share learning and ideas for action. Please sign up to the More In Common Newsletter at the bottom of this page if you would like to know what’s coming up.