Galvanising community action and cohesion
Kiren Shafiq describes being part of Islamic Help in the summer of 2020. The group helped to deliver food and other basic supplies to people of all communities in Birmingham and other cities in the West Midlands in response to panic-buying at the start of the pandemic.
Khady Gueye tells the story of organising a Black Lives Matter demonstration in 2020. She received a fierce backlash and racist abuse as well as tremendous support including from the local police. Khady recognised the need for a long term approach to counter racial and economic injustice which are so connected. She set up the Local Equality Commission, working with partners to tackle racial, political and economic injustice collaboratively.
Rosemary and Brian tell the story of a group campaigning to save the 65 Bus route in Monmouthshire. They lobbied councillors and MPs, started a petition and encouraged support by talking to the community about rural isolation and climate change. Today, the bus remains vital for those who are isolated or vulnerable, and is now popular with other residents and visitors.
