The Jo Cox Foundation

Throughout her life, Jo worked on a wide range of issues both at home and abroad. The Foundation is bringing to bear the goodwill of both the public and Jo's networks to continue Jo's campaigning on a diverse range of domestic and international issues, including:

• Loneliness:

  • The Foundation supported the continuation of the work of the Loneliness Commission that Jo established to bring about a step change in the public understanding of and policy response to the UK's loneliness crisis.

  • Throughout 2017, the Foundation supported Jo's colleagues Seema Kennedy MP and Rachel Reeves MP in their chairing of the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission to highlight the issue of loneliness amongst different groups. This work culminated in the publication of the Commission's report in December 2017: Combatting Loneliness One Conversation At A Time.  

  • In early 2018 the Government responded overwhelmingly positively to the Commission's recommendations by appointing a Minister for Loneliness, funding to support the work and a Loneliness strategy for England.

  • The work on Jo's loneliness legacy continues at pace with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Loneliness chaired by Rachel Reeves MP, the Loneliness Action Group convened by the British Red Cross and of course in the hands of the inaugural Minister for Loneliness, Tracey Crouch MP. 

• The Syrian conflict:

  • The Foundation has taken up Jo's work to galvanise the support of the public and decision makers for the protection of Syrian civilians.

  • Since its inception, the Foundation has been working closely with MPs and organisations to push for more sustained engagement amongst parliamentarians on the Syrian conflict.

• Women in public life:

  • The Foundation is continuing Jo's efforts to develop the routes for women to enter public life and acquire the critical skills and confidence needed to do so.

• Protecting civilians in conflict:

  • The Foundation is carrying on Jo's lifelong commitment to increase support for the protection of civilians in conflict and to prevent mass atrocities.

  • In January 2017, a report which was started by Jo ‘The Cost of Doing Nothing’ was launched at an event with Gordon Brown and William Hague. The Foundation's work continues to develop and maintain political support for the full implementation of the Responsibility to Protect framework.

(Photo on this page courtesy of the Huddersfield Examiner)