Weaving Trust – listening for issues in BAME access to health services

20 leaders from 12 MK institutions participated in an online Weaving Trust event focused on the equality of access to MK health services experienced by people from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. The event provided an opportunity to hear testimonies and share experiences – through a carousel of short one-to-one discussions – with … Continue reading Weaving Trust – listening for issues in BAME access to health services

Weaving Trust Online for Refugees

Six members of British Red Cross hosted six visitors from five Citizens:mk member institutions in the second online Weaving Trust event, using Zoom as a platform. This is the second of a series of events organised by Citizens:mk in a new strategic partnership with MK Community Foundation to support its Vital Signs research. Weaving Trust is … Continue reading Weaving Trust Online for Refugees

Weaving Trust for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Eight members of St. Frideswide’s Church hosted eight visitors from five Citizens:mk member institutions in the first ever online Weaving Trust event, using Zoom as a platform. This is the first of a series of events organised by Citizens:mk in a new strategic partnership with MK Community Foundation to support its Vital Signs research. Weaving Trust … Continue reading Weaving Trust for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Weaving Trust between BAME communities and MK Police – REDUCED TO SIX ATTENDEES

When: 14th September 2020 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Due to technical difficulties enabling online conferencing, and new Covid-19 restrictions disabling larger physical meetings, this event has been reduced to just six people.  Those registered will be informed of an alternative date and arrangement … Continue reading Weaving Trust between BAME communities and MK Police – REDUCED TO SIX ATTENDEES

Weaving Trust against Hate at Zainabiya Centre – 21.10.17

On Saturday 21st October, 20 guests form 9 institutions, including Supt. Yvette Hitch from Thames Valley Police,  were hosted in a Weaving Trust at the Zainabiya Centre, facilitated by Alan Bainbridge of MK Quaker Meeting.  Many conversations were enjoyed and thoughts on how to tackle hate crime were shared, including: It is encouraging that so … Continue reading Weaving Trust against Hate at Zainabiya Centre – 21.10.17

Weaving Trust with Middle East Cultural Group – 12.5.17

On Friday evening 12th May, 50 people took  part in a Weaving Trust event hosted by Middle Eastern Cultural Group (MECG) at Bancroft Community Centre. “I feel very happy,” said Ayser Al Jawad, leader of MECG.  “You can feel it was good because people didn’t want to stop talking when the bell rang.” Click here … Continue reading Weaving Trust with Middle East Cultural Group – 12.5.17

50 MK organisations create Weaving Trust 50 – 28.1.17

On Saturday 28th January 2-4pm, 90 individuals from 50 MK organisations took part in the ‘Weaving Trust 50’ event to celebrate MK’s 50th birthday. Following short testimonies from individuals of different faiths, talking about their experiences living in Milton Keynes, participants had seven conversations about their own experiences in a carousel of six-minute conversations with people … Continue reading 50 MK organisations create Weaving Trust 50 – 28.1.17

Weaving Trust at HMP Woodhill – 6.12.16

Alan Bainbridge, Chair of the Weaving Trust action team, writes: We met seven prisoners and Alan Hodgetts, the managing chaplain acting as a host. I  introduced the session by saying that Weaving Trust is simply about meeting people we otherwise wouldn’t and through personal contact getting a fuller appreciation of each other’s lives. This may not … Continue reading Weaving Trust at HMP Woodhill – 6.12.16

Weaving Trust 50 event

On Saturday 28th January 2017, Citizens:mk organised a massive ‘Weaving Trust 50’ event involving 50 MK organisations in celebrating MK’s 50th birthday. Listed below are those organisations which were represented. Click here for Weaving Trust MK50 Report. Arts gateway MK Bletchley & District Allotment Association Camphill Church of Christ the Cornerstone Citizens:mk, prison work Future Wolverton Global … Continue reading Weaving Trust 50 event

Weaving Trust 50 – 27.4.16

  We are organising a massive Weaving Trust event to mark the 50th Anniversary of Milton Keynes. Our goal is to bring at least 50 organisations together for this event. More than 30 groups have already pledged to come. Sign up today and come to this exciting event! Powered by Eventbrite

Weaving Trust with Q:alliance – 20.2.16

At 11am-1pm on Saturday 20th February, 11 people from five institutions of Citizens:mk alliance met with eight people from Q:alliance in a Weaving Trust event in the Community Room at John Lewis. “The event helped me understand the issues faced by LGBT people,” said Yvonne Smith of Christ the Cornerstone Chuch.  “I was impressed by the openness, stoicism … Continue reading Weaving Trust with Q:alliance – 20.2.16

Weaving Trust at Thames Valley Police – 7.12.15

Thames Valley Police hosted a Weaving Trust event in CMK on Monday 7th December. Fourteen officers, staff and volunteers met a similar group from various Citizens:mk communities. The Police talked about their work and how they spend their time. Although they have a lot of paperwork to contend with, they expressed a strong sense of public service and … Continue reading Weaving Trust at Thames Valley Police – 7.12.15

Weaving Trust – Islamic Centre 12.9.15

On Saturday 12th September, 30 guests from Citizens:mk institutions visited the Islamic Centre on Coffee Hall. Here they were greeted by Kurshida Mirza and others who had prepared food and drink, then heard testimony from Michael Willis of St. Frideswide’s Church about how it felt to be visiting a mosque. Then there was a carousel … Continue reading Weaving Trust – Islamic Centre 12.9.15

Weaving Trust

Weaving Trust began as a campaign to promote contact between people who would not otherwise meet. The idea was that contact and conversation builds bridges, creates awareness and weaves trust.  There was no other agenda, but hope that the contacts people made would have positive effects, perhaps only a reduction of suspicion, perhaps something more. … Continue reading Weaving Trust

Fishermead Citizens first Leaders Forum 9.12.21

On Thursday evening Fishermead Mosque hosted Fishermead Citizens first forum bringing together 20 leaders from nine local civil society institutions: 7th Day Adventist Church, Action Speaks, Chinese Overseas Church Mission, Fishermead Community Association, Frank Howe Court, Fishermead Mosque, Salvation Army Lifehouse, Trinity Community Centre and Trinity Church (apologies received from Jubilee Wood Primary School). Leaders … Continue reading Fishermead Citizens first Leaders Forum 9.12.21

Fishermead Citizens Leaders Forum

Thursday 9th December, 7-8.30pm hosted by Fishermead Mosque, Fishermead Blvd MK6 2LA, bringing together leaders from the following Fishermead ‘s civil society institutions, also leaders from partner institutions. Civil society institutions Leaders 7th Day Adventist Church Arnold Best, Bryan Maxwell Action Speaks Ophelia Cole Chinese Overseas Church Mission Rev Henry Lu Fishermead Community Association Darron … Continue reading Fishermead Citizens Leaders Forum

Police Area Commander listens to BAME voices

MK Police Area Commander Superintendent Marc Tarbit and Inspector James Ravenall met three Citizens:mk leaders representing BAME communities for one-to-one discussions about experiences of policing in MK. Originally planned as a larger Weaving Trust event involving leaders from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities across Citizens:mk member institutions, substantially reduced by new Covid-19 restrictions, the … Continue reading Police Area Commander listens to BAME voices

Test Case: Sham Shui Po

(Photo from a training workshop at a church in Sham Shui Po.) The local neighbourhood is where politics should begin. The district of Sham Shui Po, where Hong Kong Citizens has built a small alliance of civil society organisations, can become a good test case for Community Organising in action.  In one of Sham Shui … Continue reading Test Case: Sham Shui Po

Leave Meets Remain at City Church

Citizens:mk hosted the first of a new series of ‘Weaving Trust’ events aimed at bringing Leave and Remain voters together. The event was attended by representatives of the City Church, MK Muslim Association, MK Peace & Justice Network and three political parties, including Cllr Walker, Leader of MK Conservative Party. The event involved a carousel … Continue reading Leave Meets Remain at City Church

Fair Welcome, Fair Work pledged at accountability assembly

Photos by Liam Hyatt. 158 people attended Citizens:mk’s annual Accountability Assembly at the City Church on 25th April 2019, representing 17 member institutions and many other MK organisations. After welcomes from Rev George Mwaura and Mayor Martin Petchey (pictured above) , a 50th birthday cake was presented to The Open University to mark its 50th … Continue reading Fair Welcome, Fair Work pledged at accountability assembly

Action on Climate Change – One Day Training for Schools

When: 1st October 2019 @ 9:15 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Southwood Primary School, Bryony Pl, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes MK14 7AR

The planet is under threat from global warming and young people want to take action.   MK schools can take action on thecentre:mk shopping centre, which welcomes each year 25 million shoppers…and £750m of shoppers’ spending.  … Continue reading Action on Climate Change – One Day Training for Schools

Building Bridges across Fishermead – 4.11.17

34 people attended a Weaving Trust event at Jubilee Wood Primary School.  While their children joined a football tournament organised by Galaciticos FC, parents and others from the Fishermead community enjoyed eight short one-to-one conversations with guests including Citizens:mk members and representatives from Fishermead Residents Association and Thames Valley Police. Head teacher Tony Berwick said:  … Continue reading Building Bridges across Fishermead – 4.11.17

– past campaigns

When a campaign has achieved its goals, it may be retired. These are our past campaigns: Living Wage Fair Transport Refugees Welcome Weaving Trust Community Energy

Accountability Assembly Invitation

Citizens:mk  invites you to its annual Accountability Assembly celebrating Imagine MK beyond 50:  Building Bridges, not Walls Tuesday 25th April 2017, 6.15pm for 6.30-8.00pm Church of Christ the Cornerstone, 300 Saxon Gate West, MK9 2ES RSVP to info@citizensmk.org.uk or book online. Click here for Council Leader’s video Apology and Accountability 2016-17. Imagine a Milton Keynes … Continue reading Accountability Assembly Invitation

Assembly Sets Justice Agenda For MK’s 50th Birthday – 26.4.16

Citizens:mk has won pledges from MK’s business and political leaders to achieve 50-themed social justice goals in MK’s 50th birthday year next year: 50 accredited Living Wage employers, 50 parish councils advised on renewable energy, 50 MK organisations in Weaving Trust events and plans to welcome 50 refugee families. The pledges were made at our … Continue reading Assembly Sets Justice Agenda For MK’s 50th Birthday – 26.4.16

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia – 17.5.16

On May 17th, CitizensMK member institution, Q:alliance will be hosting a celebration to mark the annual International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. There will be a short ceremony at the MK Rose in Campbell Park at 1pm, followed by refreshments at the Milton Keynes Gallery Project Space. Despite tremendous advancements over last 15 years … Continue reading International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia – 17.5.16

Delegates Assembly visions MK in 50 years – 9.2.16

On  Tuesday 9th February, 95 delegates from 15 member institutions attended the annual Citizens:mk Delegates Assembly in The Guildhall, Cornerstone Church.  After a roll call and updates from several institutions on successful training events and campaign developments within their institutions, delegates were asked to consider MK’s 50th birthday next year and imagine what MK will … Continue reading Delegates Assembly visions MK in 50 years – 9.2.16

Leaders Forum prioritises issues for research – 24.11.15

30 leaders from 12 institutions attended this year’s annual Leaders Forum at MK Academy on 24th November.  The aim of the evening was to share issues of concern arising from each institution’s listening to its people, then to prioritise the issues of common concern across our alliance according to importance and urgency. In the process, four … Continue reading Leaders Forum prioritises issues for research – 24.11.15

What’s it like, Yvonne?

Yvonne Smith of Christ the Cornerstone Church attended 6-day National Training led by Citizens UK at The Open University in June 2015.  Afterwards, she said: “Ever since I had first heard of National Training I had wanted to go. When I finally went in June 2015, it did not disappoint. “The programme was very varied. … Continue reading What’s it like, Yvonne?

Wins

2019 Refugees Welcome, Autumn 2019 – Independent Pillar Panel approves application for World Refugee Day Pillar at MK Rose. Action on Climate Change, Autumn 2019 – five schools meet to begin first joint action on climate change at thecentre:mk. Action on Climate Change,  Summer 2019 – canteen at The Radcliffe School goes plastic free. Weaving … Continue reading Wins