Taking Action For A Brighter Future

Transcription

1 In association with Headline reweaving Sub head the fabric of society Copy The home of community organising in the UK. Building powerful communities that work together for the common good. In this issue... Strengthening Babies Futures p3 Taking Action For A Brighter Future Page 6 and 7 #RefugeesWelcome p4 Living Wage Update p5 Election 2016 p7 Why I m involved p8 Issue 4 Winter 2015/2016

2 reweaving promoting the civil fabric society of society In association with Welcome... to our fourth National Newsletter, kindly sponsored by Aviva. Happy New Year from everyone at Citizens UK! We re looking forward to working with you in 2016 to strengthen your institution, help train new leaders and tackle injustice in local communities and at a UK level. We know that together we are more powerful and thus likely to succeed. Looking back on 2015 let s remind ourselves of the achievements we ve had together as we prepare for the challenges of We launched and drove our Citizens Manifesto for Civil Society. This culminated on May 4th with 2,500 of us in Central Hall holding ourselves and top level politicians to account ahead of the General Election. This was preceded by packed Assemblies in Birmingham and Nottingham (with over 7,000 citizens participating). We launched The Citizens Commission on Islam, Participation and Public Life; accredited Living Wage employers smashed the 2,000 milestone (including more than a quarter of the FTSE 100); new Alliances were launched in Leeds and Maun Valley, and there s exciting plans for a new chapter in Tyne & Wear; whilst the campaign to make #RefugeesWelcome in the UK has seen thousands of new leaders across the country introduced to the power of community organising and experience making change happen. More than 1,000 Syrian refugees of the 20,000 promised by government should have been granted sanctuary in the UK in response to the tireless campaigning of CUK and our members. Recognising Trustees: Thanking Paul Regan and Welcoming Kaneez Shaid Rev Paul Regan will be standing down as Chair of the Citizens UK Board on 17th January. Paul is a Methodist Minister who has given his working life to God through the people of Newham and, for the last 20 plus years, to Citizens UK. We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. Paul was the first Chair of London Citizens Trustees in 2002 until it was constitutionally dissolved in He not only crafted the new rules for Citizens UK but also became Acting Chair to oversee the several significant changes members voted for to ensure there is the right balance of power between the local Alliances and the national Board. Trustees have agreed unanimously to appoint Dr Kaneez Shaid, MBE as our new Chair. Dr Shaid is External Affairs Director at Sir George Monoux College in Walthamstow and has been a member of TELCO and later London Citizens since She is committed to the development and participation of young people in public life through CUK s organising practice and excited to be leading CUK s Board at such a key time in our development. This record of public action and leadership development is just a snap shot of the impact you and your institutions have had on public life, and there s plenty more to come. With Mayoral and Assembly elections in London and Wales, as well as new Police Crime Commissioners to negotiate with across the UK, we will be holding ourselves and politicians at all levels to account. The compulsory new minimum wage premium for over 25s (called the national living wage by the Chancellor) will see a much welcome pay-rise for many working families, and is a huge victory; but there s still a big job to do to make our voluntary Living Wage, that s based on the cost of living, a reality for more hard working people. The new, Living Wage People s Movement and our continued Social Care campaign will keep reminding those in industry and government of the need to do more. You can read about all this and more over the next few pages, visit www. citizensuk.org and follow us on I look forward to joining you in action and in learning in Thanks again for your fellowship; membership and commitment to bring about the world as it should be! Neil Jameson, Executive Director, Citizens UK Rev Paul Regan and Dr Kaneez Shaid at one of the many Citizens UK events they have supported. 2

3 In association with Strengthening Babies Futures September saw the launch of Strengthening Babies Futures, a pioneering community organising project bringing together parents, community groups, maternity services and academics (via MumSpace groups) to improve support for parents in Southwark, in order to reduce health inequalities and give children the best start in life. The project will establish a community-led social support network, parent-led support groups, and free Parent University health courses, in order to tackle social isolation and barriers to accessing health services. Parents will be referred into the project by local community organisations as well as GPs. Midwives and other healthcare professionals will help shape the programme which will engage with 400 mothers and babies over the next two and a half years. Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King s College London will evaluate the impact of this project on the health and development of participating mothers and their babies. Folake, a mother of two who lives in Camberwell, commented: I have been coming to MumSpace for nearly a year. When I first started coming I had recently arrived in the UK and I had small baby. I didn t have many family or friends around in the neighbourhood to help me. But MumSpace has given me a whole set of people around me to support me. I think it is so important that we have a place to express ourselves and learn about childcare and the ways that mums from different culture do things differently. I m really excited that MumSpace groups are now going to be set up across Southwark, because I know there are lots of mums like me out there who will really benefit. Local mums in Southwark with members of the Citizens UK MumSpace team on launch day. Tyne & Wear Founding Assembly In December 2015, Tyne & Wear Citizens held their founding assembly with the aim to stimulate a movement which will become sufficiently powerful to represent the interests of ordinary people indeed, all civil society to the new north east mayor and combined authority in Founding Partners of Tyne & Wear Citizens include: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, Newcastle Quakers, The Diocese of Durham and the Diocese of Newcastle. In 2016, Tyne & Wear Citizens aims to launch organising hubs in Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle, followed by a listening campaign, and house meetings, to uncover local issues. By November, a delegates assembly will be held followed by a full public launch of Tyne & Wear Citizens in April, The aim is to attract 1,000 delegates in an accountability assembly with north east mayoral candidates. Citizens Commission on Islam, Participation & Public Life In July we announced a new Citizens Commission, chaired by Rt Hon Dominic Grieve PC QC MP, to consider how the Muslim community could better participate in British public life. Since its launch in September, the Commissioners have visited London and Cardiff listening to stories about Education, Islamophobia, Counter Terrorism and opportunities for young people. It shall continue its tour in the new year, looking at a number of themes in more detail. Upcoming public hearings are scheduled for: Leeds: 8th February 2016 Manchester: 22nd February 2016 Nottingham: 7th March 2016 London: 21st March 2016 Birmingham: 22nd April 2016 Further dates are being planned for the second quarter of If you would like to attend one of these hearings, or give evidence please esmat.jeraj@citizensuk.org To find our more, or to have your say, visit /commission_on_islam. 3

4 reweaving the fabric of society credit: ChrisJepson.com The Citizens UK #1000b4Xmas vigil was held at Old Palace Yard, Westminster National Resettlement Teams In response to the refugee crisis, Citizens UK convened the National Refugee Welcome Board, bringing together major civic society institutions and groups across the UK to mobilise their resources to support the government, local authorities and specialist providers in resettling 20,000 Syrian refugees by Alongside this a powerful network of local #RefugeeWelcome groups are popping up across the UK. In some towns and cities local groups have been working to protect people for years, in others we are just getting started. Citizens UK has been delivering trainings across the country. The national training in November brought people together from Barnet to Bristol to train up 50 new teams across the United Kingdom, working to ensure Syrian refugees are resettled in their neighbourhood and then to welcome them into their local communities. From a guide on meeting your MP to a community welcome plan, our dedicated website uk will provide resources that you can use individually or as a group. If you want to build a local resettlement group or are already coordinating one and would like to connect with the national network please george.gabriel@citizensuk.org 4

5 In association with How you can get involved 18 months ago Citizens UK began a campaign to persuade government to resettle more people to Britain in response to the growing Syrian crisis. Our efforts focussed on trying to show the country stood ready and willing to do more by persuading local councils to sign up to the UK resettlement programme. We d persuaded 8 councils to play a part, and were campaigning in 12 further areas. In September 2015 the images of Alan Kurdi arrived and the refugee crisis really entered the British public consciousness, with a swing of support for a number of initiatives. 20 million refugees are already seeking protection worldwide, with 1 million Syrian children languishing in camps. Children are drowning daily trying to reach safety. The UK has so far resettled only around 300 Syrian refugees from the camps (at time of writing). In October we held a public action in Parliament Square urging the government to do more and to resettle at least 1,000 before Christmas. We want to see 10,000 refugees resettled here each year for at least the next two years. That s likely to mean around 5,000 refugee families over the two year period. Many councils are willing, but they need our help to find appropriate homes for families in the private rented sector. Practical ways to get involved: Campaign in your local area (Talk to your local authority, meet your MP, join a local team) If you re a landlord, you can offer accommodation to refugee families Foster or adopt a child Private sponsorship Join a local resettlement team l Visit to add your name to the register or for more information of ways you can get involved to make a difference. Update on the Living Wage Campaign The Living Wage People s Movement People power is the heart of the Living Wage Campaign, and that s why in November we launched the Living Wage People s Movement. If you ve not already, take a look at livingwagemovement.org to find out how you can be a Living Wage champion and use the interactive map to make Living Wage consumer choices and support shops and services in your area who are helping to end in-work poverty. We re also setting up a new independent Living Wage Commission to oversee the calculation of the Living Wage rates in the UK. The high profile group, chaired by chief executive of the Resolution Trust, Gavin Kelly, and with representation from leading Living Wage accredited employers, employees and civil society will conduct an initial review of the methodology and provide a strong governance framework to ensure the ongoing credibility of the Living Wage as an attainable voluntary benchmark for employers committed to going above and beyond the statutory minimum. And of course action continues Citizens Cymru Wales held a seasonal #LivingWage4Xmas action at Swansea University after research it carried out found more than 200 staff are paid poverty wages. The action targeted vice-chancellor Richard Davies, encouraging him to meet and discuss how the University could accredit as a Living Wage employer watch this space London Citizens delivered lumps of coal to Topshop reminding Arcadia bosses that their workers deserve a Living Wage, and Marks & Spencer customers were handed gold coins as they shopped whilst being canvassed on their thoughts that shop workers aren t paid enough to live on. We re taking those comments with us when we meet with senior executives later this month. 5

6 reweaving the fabric of society Elections 2016 Once again we are getting organised so together as citizens we can negotiate with politicians and ensure the issues impacting our communities are given the attention they deserve. On May 5th Londoners will vote to elect a new London Mayor and London Assembly members, and on the same day the National Assembly for Wales elections will London Thousands of people were involved in a listening campaign during summer 2015, discussing how the housing crisis in London is affecting them and together, what we can do about it London Citizens have held 20 borough meetings to prioritise the top three problems: affordability, bad landlords and no control over local development 800 people gathered at four Delegates Assemblies East, West, South, North - to vote on our housing manifesto Now we have three radical proposals to take to the Mayoral candidates: Living Rent; Rogue Landlord Taskforce; and the Good Development Charter. be held. In addition to making sure our asks are heard and getting commitments from the various candidates, we will also be working to encourage more people to use their vote, with a particular focus on the young people in our membership through a series of #registertovote actions. Wales On March 17th 1,000 delegates from across the nation will gather for the Governance of Wales Accountability Assembly in Cardiff. The First Minister, along with the leaders of the other three political parties that hold seats in the National Assembly for Wales, has been invited. Teams of leaders from Citizens Cymru Wales have been meeting regularly to put together a civil society manifesto based on the issues in their communities, and at a Delegates Assembly in Merthyr Tydfil on December 2nd they voted the following issues onto the agenda: Make Wales a Living Wage Economy Create Opportunities that Match our Kids Aspirations Provide a Home for All Ensure Dignity in Social Care Keep a Welcome in our Communities for Refugees Promote Citizen Participation in Public Life. At the Governance of Wales Accountability Assembly the leaders of the political parties will hear testimony relating to each issue and be asked to work with us towards achieving specific goals under these headings should they be elected. For more information speak to jonathan.cox@citizenswales.org.uk. Following the Accountability Assembly, Citizens members have ambitious plans to register their communities to vote and send delegates to meet with their prospective Assembly members. Key Date 28th April, The CopperBox, Mayoral Assembly For more information 6

7 In association with And across the country... Wales Citizens Cymru Wales celebrated the accreditation of the Welsh Government, Cardiff Council and Cardiff Bus at the launch of Living Wage Week in Wales at IKEA Cardiff. Congratulations to the Gurnos Zebras, young people from Merthyr Tydfil who have won their campaign to secure a zebra crossing and better lighting near their youth club. Birmingham Have taken the mantle of being the City of Sanctuary seriously, working tirelessly to campaign for the resettlement of Syrian refugees and are now working in partnership with vulnerable Syrian refugees, working with lead organisation commissioned by the Council. This month sees the first few refugees being welcomed into Birmingham. Newcastle: Tyne & Wear at their founding assembly demonstrated their commitment to building the power of civil society with 130 diverse leaders raising 66,000 of funding for the next 2 years. Nottingham Following the horrific attacks in Paris, leaders convened a gathering of over 100 leaders to engage in 121 conversations and develop community cohesion. This event also saw the launch of the listening around the Citizens Commission on Islam, Participation & Public Life with a key focus being on the inclusion and opportunities available for women. Leeds Leaders in Leeds have been leading the charge with their work developing community mental health navigators, who can sign post individuals suffering from mental health issues, and build relationships with GPs and other practitioners. Milton Keynes Leaders here were at the forefront of the excitement of Living Wage Week with one talented leader being the voice of the Living Wage on national news! North London By the time this edition goes to print, the first Syrian refugees will have arrived in both Barnet & Islington. Leaders here have been actively creating local #refugeeswelcome teams, with the Brent Action Group holding a Christmas Concert to raise awareness and funds for this worthy cause. West London 50 community leaders, cleaners and civil servants came together to deliver letters to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office urging Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond MP to intervene in the case of the 14 cleaners who had been put under disciplinary investigation by their employers after raising the issue of their low pay. East London The Redbridge Citizens agenda of the Living Wage and Affordable Housing was well recognised at the Redbridge Fairness Commission. Local work has also been continuing on sourcing affordable housing, noticeably with the Boleyn Development in Newham which saw students as young as 10 getting involved. South London With a nod to one of the original Living Wage actions, leaders gathered to paint a Lichtenstein-inspired artwork and then present it to the Tate Modern calling on the gallery to pay the Living Wage. South London has also been working tirelessly to sell Community Land Trust shares, with Lewisham celebrating selling 500 shares. 7

8 reweaving the fabric of society In association with Why I m involved Two leaders stories. Jackie Ashmenall, Church of Christ the Saviour, West London Citizens Shammah Gwedegwe, David Young Community Academy, Leeds Citizens Q What s your proudest Citizens moment? Q What s your proudest Citizens moment? There are two that stand out. The first was pinning Sajid Javid at the General Election Assembly in May this year. Despite David Cameron not attending, I felt we were very powerful and I was able to use that strength of collective support to be agitational in order to push him on key asks. The second would be building a sukkat for a housing action with Ealing Liberal Synagogue. Despite the frustrations and challenges of the task we all pulled together and were successful. Q What s the impact of membership been on you and your institution? Citizens UK has equipped us with the tools and skills to make impactful changes internally. We have been able to use 121s to get to know each other on a deeper level and identify new leaders. Perhaps most importantly, we have revisited the way in which we organise events for the congregation and now we reflect, assess and evaluate. Q What are you most looking forward to over the next 12 months? The London Citizens Mayoral Assembly in April 2016 at the Copper Box of the Olympic Park. Being part of the leadership team pulling this event together, it has been wonderful to see how this has been developing and how the manifesto has come together. I am now excited to take these practical asks to the candidates. This was when I was at the Leeds Citizens Founding Assembly and declared the meeting closed. I had seen it as a success as over 700 people had attended the assembly. I felt like all the good work leading up to the founding assembly had finally been accomplished, but I also acknowledged that this was only the beginning of even greater things! Q Q What s the impact of membership been on you and your institution? The impact of membership for me has been that it led me to feel even more eager to make a difference, it wasn t just 5 or 10 people that had a just cause but many of us! With the amount of children from our school being involved, more people became aware of Leeds Citizens and also wanted to participate, so it brought our communities even closer, which is an amazing achievement. What are you most looking forward to over the next 12 months? Over the next 12 months, I m looking forward to an even greater amount of people that are able to stand for the Bus and Mental Health causes. I want to see especially Mayors and governors taking note of our work and hopefully work together with us to change the people of Leeds. The best thing that could happen is if our actions become a fire that lights up a chain of reactions in the favour of the people. Get in # Join us! Is your institution a member of Citizens UK yet? To find out more about joining, visit /join or call Give! You can help us build a new generation of civic leaders prepared to act together for the common good. Set up a regular donation or one-off gift at /give. To find out more, contact us: l facebook.com/citizensuk l l l 112 Cavell Street, London E1 2JA 8