Bridging divides through social action

Join the Jo Cox Foundation and guest speakers for this Common Room session on Bridging Divides through Social Action.

We will hear from Mahmooda Qureshi about the The Faith & Belief Forum Solihull Faith Action Project and from Gabriella Gay about Under One Roof project Culture Share events in Stoke.

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. Solihull Faith Action project explored the exceptional and vital role which faith plays in the fabric of our society, uniting those who are motivated by faith to social action, and decision makers in the council.

Under One Roof is a National Heritage Lottery Funded community heritage project based in and around St Mark’s Church in Stoke on Trent. Alongside the restoration and conservation of the building we are developing the Church as a Social Action Hub. Under One Roof’s community heritage programme includes Artist in Residence Gabriella Gay who has facilitated a series of Culture Share events creating spaces for people to share their culture and heritage and celebrate the diversity of the area.

What is this Common Room about?

Together we will explore ideas about how to enable people to understand differences, connect over shared interests and take social action.

In the session we will:

• find out about the Community Organising Framework for Social Action
• hear about 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

Who is the event for?

We welcome anyone who is concerned about division in communities and who wants to bring people together to increase understanding, strengthen bonds and bridges between different groups.

What will you get from the Common Room?

By the end of the session you will :

• know about the Community Organising framework for thinking about social action
• have had opportunity to hear from other people’s experience and reflect on your own
• get practical ideas for connecting diverse people over shared concerns