To celebrate MK’s winter cycling, there was a rally of 34 Cycling Santas in Station Square, the biggest number ever seen in MK and a step towards the world record – maybe an official attempt next year!
Following free Dr Bike services from Cycle Saviours 4-5pm, the Mayor gave un update on the Winter Wheelers competition results so far (businesses and schools) and prizes were drawn from a ‘Santas Giveaway’ (prizes donated by Trek Bikes, Rutland Cycling, John Lewis, and MK Council).
Then the cycling santas rode up Midsummer Boulevard to Campbell Park, around the Light Pyramid and back, with a stopover to entertain the crowd outside MK Theatre.
“Everybody knows Santa has a sledge and reindeer, but not everyone knows Santa has a bicycle,” said Ian Revell of MK Community Foundation. “Cheerfully stopping people in their tracks, it was a great way to promote cycling!”
“It was great fun,” said cyclist Naveed Ahmed (left of Mayor in picture below). “I wish I had encouraged more people to come.”
On Sunday afternoon seven Fishermead residents met to cut down and clear away overgrown vegetation around the Trinity Community Centre. Using equipment lent by Campbell Park Parish Council, they filled six 2x2m sacks, clearing the footway for pedestrians and giving the Centre exterior a new clean look.
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 from public sector and for-profit institutions also attended: Campbell Park Parish Council and The Coop Convenience Store.
There was then a Weaving Trust carousel of 4-minute 121 conversations on ‘who are you and what issues would your institution like to see action on to improve Fishermead?’ (photo above) facilitated by Sophie Richens, a volunteer at Fishermead Trinity Centre.
Then each institution took turns to present to the whole group the issues of greatest interest to them and their followers, facilitated by Ruth Legh-Smith of Frank Howe Court, and these were recorded (below).
Finally it was decided that an action team of eight leaders (listed at bottom left in photo above) would work together to research and craft one or more campaign proposals to present to a Delegates Assembly, with a target turnout of 5 delegates per institution, hosted by Fishermead Trinity Centre at 2.30pm on Sunday 20th March 2022.
In a post-event evaluation, the Leaders Forum was scored 6 out of 10 due to absence of school leaders and some difficulty hearing one another during the Weaving Trust conversations.
After an introduction by chair Deborah Cooper of MK Cycle Forum, Tony Nelson, Principal of The Hazeley Academy, talked about his school’s ambition to see 90% of students walking or cycling to school.
Jonathan Stone of Trek Bikes talked about using a heated clothes rack as a practical alternative to the more expensive installation of showers.
Richard Scott, chair of the Employee Forum at Volkswagen Financial Services explained how his team had undertaken an exercise of postcode mapping to discover that 230 of its 1200 staff lived less than 8 minutes away from work by bicycle. He talked about VWFS had registered with Cycle to Work schemes, relaxed staff dress codes, helped inexperienced cyclists practice riding in the company car park and lent e-bikes for journeys to business meetings.
Leigh Richards of Nextbike said “mobility as a human right” and explained how Nextbike offers cycle use across MK at £5 per day and supports Cycle Day At Work initiatives.
Martin Swift of Cycle Saviours talked about how to reduce bicycle waste, saying “there’s no such thing as a write-off bike” and old bikes are welcome at Cycle Saviours’ education-funded refurbishment operation in Stacey Bushes.
Ellie Williamson of MK Council talked about various support services offered by the Council, including Bikeability Training, Sustainable Travel grants, quarterly cycling competitions and the Gear Change unit on Witan Gate. Colleague Raeesa Chowdury outlined details of the Winter Wheelers competition 1st-25th December.
MK Mayor Mohammed Khan talked about the Council’s vision of a healthy and low-carbon community and Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, encouraged attendees to join and bring other cyclists to the Cycling Santas MK world record attempt on 16th December.
Finally Phil Murphy and Clive Faine of MK Cycle Forum expressed their positive outlook on the future of cycling in MK.
Following a post-event evaluation, organisers agreed to run a similar event, inviting other business leaders, in three months.
Deborah Cooper said: “This meeting highlighted what a lot of valuable work is going on to encourage people to use the great infrastructure we already have in the borough. There is a lot more to do to improve infrastructure we have, to ensure new developments make cycling easy, and to ensure even more people are encouraged to travel sustainably.”
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 Kendrick, Tonya Wilson, David & Melania Hart
Frank Howe Court
Ruth Legh-Smith, Lizzie, Chris
Fishermead Mosque
Tajhudeen Lebbe
Jubilee Wood Primary School
Headteacher Matt O’Brien sent apologies
Lifehouse (Salvation Army)
Tom Lathwood, Clare Doughty
Trinity Community Centre
Heinz Elbers, Sophie Richens
Trinity Church
Rev Ian Herbert, Don Mahon
Willows First School
Headteacher Joanna Orbell
Partner institutions
Campbell Park Parish Council
Cllr Martin Petchey
MK Community Foundation
Kay Smith
Thames Valley Police
The Co-Op Store
Charlie Bird
AGENDA
(6.45pm Meet & Greet – light refreshments)
7.00 Invitation to witness evening prayers (optional)
7.15 Welcome from Mosque President Thajudeen Lebbe and Secretary Shameela
7.20 Introduction from Fishermead citizens:
What is community organising & training – David Hart
How Fishermead citizens have acted on Digital Exclusion – Rev Ian Herbert
My experience of Citizens action at Willows First School – Ophelia Cole
7.30 Weaving Trust carousel of 5-minute 121 conversations on ‘who are you and what issue(s) would your institution like to see action on to improve Fishermead?’ – Sophie Richens
7.55 Sharing of issues – leaders from each institution take turns to present Fishermead issues of greatest interest to them and their followers – Ruth Legh-Smith
8.10 Discuss and decide on issues for research action
8.25 Agree time and location of Delegates Assembly in Feb/March
8.30 Close & networking
(8.35-45 Shared evaluation)
Clothing: There is no need for women visitors to wear a head scarf.
Covid: For your own and others’ safety, you may wear a face covering.
Free Santa costumes for 40 people who are registered with Winter Wheelers and first in line from 4.30pm.
Following free Dr Bike services from Cycle Saviours 4-5pm, the Mayor will give un update on the Winter Wheelers competition results so far (businesses and schools) and prizes will be drawn from a ‘Santas Giveaway’ (prizes donated by Trek Bikes, Rutland Cycling, John Lewis, MK Council and others).
Cyclists are advised to check weather forecast before setting off and dress suitably warm and bright (with waterproofs in case of rain). Front and rear cycle lights must be used.
Agenda
5pm – Welcome from Ian Revell, MK Community Foundation CEO, & Father Christmas
5.05 – MK Mayor Mohammed Khan speaks about why cycling is important to Milton Keynes, then presents update on results of business and schools competitions so far
5.10 – Santas Giveaway prize draw – Father Christmas
5.30 – Briefing on cycle route and Risk Assessment – Tom Bulman
5.35 – Group photo and formation of cycle groups for the ride
5.40 – Short guided ride through CMK to Campbell Park Light Pyramid, including filming in Grafton Street underpass and at illuminated frame opposite MK Gallery, and back
6.15 – Return to Station Square & video interviews
Cycle safety & risk assessment
For the CMK Cycleround ride, guide riders (wearing pink hi-viz vests) will lead cycle groups of approximately 25 riders, maintaining a suitable speed to keep the group together, and will take front position at red traffic light stops. Riders must follow the Highway Code at all times. All riders above the age of 12 are individually responsible for their safety and any injuries through unsafe cycling. Teachers will attend in a personal capacity and hold no responsibility for the safety of students cycling. See risk assessment.
Residents from Frank Howe Court and leaders of the new Fishermead Community Alliance joined school staff and pupils on Saturday morning to clear bushes and weeds from the walkway between Porthleven Place and Willows First School.
“It was fantastic to get the help of residents on a weekend,” said headteacher Jo Orbell. “The children who came that way on Monday morning were amazed how wide the walkway felt without the litter and overgrown bushes.”
The Citizens ACE team (Action on the Climate Emergency) have had a great win this week. We have been working on getting support for an exciting redistributive approach to carbon pricing called Carbon Fee and Dividend. In this model a charge is levied on fossil fuels at source, and these “carbon fees” are used to fund a “climate dividend” which is given equally and directly to all adults in the UK.
At a recent event run in honour of Bishop Steven Croft’s visit to Milton Keynes for a series of climate meetings, we pitched him the idea. The Bishop sits on the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, and we asked that he might be vocal about the model in that forum. He promised to look into it, and was clearly impressed by it because on 11th October 2021 he pitched it to the House:
During ‘Cycle September’, MK businesses and schools rode 38,046 miles with 317 riders going out for 3,123 rides (a 170% increase since June). 25 cyclists rallied in Station Square for an awards presentation with MK Mayor Mohammed Khan for the MK Businesses and MK Schools competitions organised by Cycling CitizensMK (see winners and photos below).
Following free Dr Bike services from Cycle Saviours 4-5pm, and tasty hot snacks from Namji, certificates were awarded to institutions and prizes to individuals (sponsored by Trek Bikes, John Lewis and Cycle Saviours) cycling most during September.
Then cyclists participated in a short CMK Cycleround ride through CMK to Campbell Park Light Pyramid and back.
“One of my aims as Mayor is to help MK in its bid for city status,” said Mayor Khan. “We all know we must develop greener daily habits, and cycling to work and school is something more of us can do.”
Elaine Wales, Community Liaison Coordinator for prize sponsor John Lewis, said: “Congratulations to the winners and well done to everyone who took part in the competition. John Lewis and Partners are once again proud to support Cycling CitizensMK”
On the evening of Thursday 2nd September at MK Gallery, civil society organised an event called “Together in the Climate Crisis”, bringing together civil society, local government and business leaders. It was held in honour of a visit from the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft. The Bishop is a member of the House of Lords Climate and Environment Committee, and the focus of the event was building a joint-up approach to the Climate Crisis in Milton Keynes.
Moving testimony about the impact of climate change was provided by 19 year old Lauren Jeffrey from the Lakes Estate Renewal Forum. She told the room about her initial response when hearing about the climate crisis at the age of 16:
“I feared for my life, and the lives of the people I loved. I started questioning all of my future plans. In my head, they were all pointless. I was in despair…But I decided that I wanted to be part of the solution, and that’s why I’m here. Hopefully, this evening will be a good opportunity for us to come together around a shared goal of making Milton Keynes a climate role model for the rest of the UK.”
The room also heard from Alex Chapman, from Christ the Cornerstone Church and the New Economics Foundation, who spoke about his work for a think tank studying at first hand the impacts of climate change on coastal communities around the world, and the increasing number of climate refugees. He spoke about his visit to sugar cane farmers in the Soc Trang province of Vietnam in 2013:
“My team’s job was to interview farmers about their crops and how much produce they had grown. The tonnage of crop that year, from a village of hundreds of farmers, was zero. The creep of salt water into the soil had killed the sugar cane. Many in the village were packing up, and they were leaving. This is the story for tens of millions of farmers around the globe.”
It was also a night for discussing solutions.
Rob Paton from MK Quaker Meeting explained the idea of Carbon Fee & Dividend and how it is being adopted in Canada. He explained the model, saying:
“Carbon fees are levied on fossil fuels at source but used only to fund a climate dividend that is shared out equally among adult citizens. In this way what would be highly regressive as a tax, becomes a redistributive transfer. The less well-off come out ahead. This stimulates demand for the emerging technologies and investment in them – which brings down their price, further easing the great carbon de-tox.”
There were also talks from local business leaders. Satheesh Krishnamurthy from the OU reported on some of the innovative solutions coming out of laboratories and universities. Jo Lewington, Head of sustainability at Network Rail, described the huge programme of work both to reduce carbon emissions and to make the transport system more resilient. And Clive Faine from Abbeygate Developments described how his industry had woken up to the seriousness of the situation and the steps it was now taking to put things right.
Jenny Wilson-Marklew, the cabinet member for Climate and Sustainability at MK Council, also attended. She offered a very moving speech, and said:
“In 2017 we committed to carbon neutral by 2030 and we are very committed to it, but we are not doing enough.”
Milton Keynes Council recently voted unanimously, across all parties, in support of the radical new approach to carbon reduction – Carbon Fee & Dividend. The motion was presented by Jenny Wilson-Marklew, with speeches in support from Rob Paton, Rick Mutwarasibo and Catherine Butt, all from Citizens:MK.
Citizens:MK is an alliance of civil society institutions across Milton Keynes, focused on working together for social justice and the common good. Their ask of the Bishop was for him to learn more about Carbon Fee and Dividend, and then meet with Citizens campaigners in the near future to discuss whether and how he might help promote it nationally. He agreed, and gave a powerful speech, saying:
“We are doing scrutiny enquiries on COP15 and COP26 in the short term before looking at the long term enquiry on climate change and biodiversity. The world has already lost, climate change is happening. Every fraction of a degree of temperature change is worth fighting against. The responsibility must be shared across all generations.”
Milton Keynes Council has voted unanimously for a motion supporting higher fossil fuel prices linked to compensating payments to all adults. The Council will ask the government urgently to appraise how the idea of a carbon fee & dividend – already being implemented in Canada – could work in the UK.
Under this arrangement, fuel levies are paid back to citizens at a flat rate – so the wealthiest who use fossil fuels the most pay the most, while the less well off receive back more than the amount they pay in increased fuel prices.
Council Leader Peter Marland (Labour) commented: “ Milton Keynes was one of the very first councils to declare a climate emergency. That was like setting off the fire alarm. This is a way for the country to tackle the source of the blaze.”
Deputy Leader Robin Bradburn (Lib Dem) stated: “ Milton Keynes has shown that, done the right way, realistic carbon pricing can gain cross-party approval.”
Councillor Alex Walker, Leader of the Conservative group said: “ This idea is compatible with current government thinking and definitely needs to be progressed.”
The motion was requested by the Climate Campaign team of Citizens:MK
Rev Catherine Butt, of St. Frideswide’s Church said: “Carbon fee and dividend offers a way for us all to pay realistically for the carbon we use, and for us to share equally the income generated. We have a wonderful opportunity to pursue a policy that preserves our precious environment and also positively addresses poverty and inequality. In the year of COP 26, it would be fantastic to see the UK commit to this approach.”
Rick Mutwarasibo, of Christ the Cornerstone Church and one of the team said: . “Young people like me will bear the brunt of the impending disasters. You may think transitioning to renewable energy sources and retrofitting premises for carbon neutrality is expensive. But those costs are small compared to the costs of fire, flood, food shortages and rising sea levels. Climate Fee & Dividend will drive decarbonisation.”
Rob Paton, of MK Quaker Meeting said “It’s vital to secure the buy-in of those citizens who are struggling to keep their families fed and housed and who might otherwise become another generation of fuel tax protestors. Direct payments can secure their support in tackling the climate emergency.”
At a celebration breakfast organised by Citizens:mk and hosted by Fishermead Trinity Community Centre, MK Mayor Mohammed Khan presented community leaders with 35 laptops.
The devices were donated by Circular Computing, through Veritas Digital Services Ltd.’s Laptops4learning scheme www.laptops4learning.co.uk which tackles digital inequality by the repair and reuse of surplus technology.
30 devices will be used by pupils of Jubilee Wood Primary School and 5 will be used to start an internet café at Trinity Centre.
This initiative follows a listening campaign involving 61 residents. 41% had trouble accessing the internet and 59% said they would use the internet cafe.
A survey of school pupils showed 114 pupils can’t access devices at home for school work. “What we have received through this initiative will make a huge difference to them,” said head teacher Matt O’Brien. “It’s good to work alongside others who take pride in the community and want to make it as good as possible for our children.”
28 children from Willows First School, led by head teacher Jo Orbell, sang ‘Together in Electric Dreams’ to great applause.
Local resident Ophelia Cole, Chair of Trinity Centre Management Committee, who has been trained by Citizens:mk, said: “I strongly believe in working with institutions who contribute towards developing residents and changing the negative press about Fishermead. I hope this centre will one day become the hub where all residents meet to support and encourage each other, where those who are strong give a helping hand to those who are struggling.”
Mayor with representatives of Veritas Digital (Sue Gowling second from right) and Fishermead community leaders (Ophelia Cole (fifth from right)
The event was also attended by Debbie Gockelen, Assistant Principal of MK Academy secondary school, who said: “Our work with the community through Citizens:mk has encouraged active citizenship and empowered our students to make a difference in their communities. It’s good to be here and see other schools getting together to support digital inclusion.”
Sue Gowling, Founder of Veritas Digital Services, said: “We set up Laptops4learning back at the start of the pandemic to get sustainable, affordable tech and donations out to those in need. We are delighted to be able to help the Fishermead community and look forward to extending our work with Citizens:MK and Citizens UK”.
Rev Ian Herbert, a Trinity Centre trustee, said: “We need to reach out to residents who are digitally excluded. Working together with schools, faith and other community groups, we can.”
This initiative is part of a project funded by MK Community Foundation to build an alliance of Fishermead community groups to take action together, in partnership with Campbell Park Parish Council, to improve their community. If you would like your community group to be involved, contact Community Organiser Tom Bulman, tel 07962 838685.
(Pictured above: Cllr Mohammed Khan, Mayor of Milton Keynes, presenting 5 laptops and a partnership certificate to Heinz Elbers, Trinity Centre trustee.)
Following free Dr Bike services from Cycle Saviours, and tasty hot snacks from Namji, certificates were awarded to institutions and prizes to individuals (sponsored by Trek Bikes and John Lewis) cycling most during June (see gallery below).
Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, called on cyclists to meet again every Thursday 5pm at Station Square to celebrate cycling in MK and help MK become a cycle city. All welcome to join.
Mayor Khan introducing the awards
Ross Kearns collects Top Rider and 1st Place Organisation (most rides) for The Open University
Jim Iley collects 2nd Place Organisation (most rides) for MK Quaker Meeting
Luke Bartishel collects 3rd Place Organisation (most rides) for Orchard Academy
Vernon Young collects Top Rider Overall (most rides)
Tim Coffey collects Top School (most rides) for Ousedale School
Tim Layden and Elliott Tomey collect 2nd Place School and Top Student Rider (most rides) for Lord Grey Academy
Luke Marshall collects 3rd Place School and Top Student Rider (most rides) for Shenley Brook End School
Saffron Small speaks on behalf of sponsor Trek
Council Leader Marland and Mayor Khan consider cycling a tandem
Riding through CMK
Arriving at Campbell Park
Council Leader and Mayor ataViewpoint
Returning to CMK
Mayor Khan takes a break
Mayor Khan shows some skills
(Special thanks to MK Council officer Ellie Williamson and Hazeley School student Sasha Snell for helping to organise this event.)
Meet others for a friendly and fun cycle ride from Station Square to Campbell Park Viewpoint and back. The on-road ride leaves Station Square at 5pm every Thursday (see photo gallery below). This is part of the Cycling CitizensMK project in partnership with MK Council andLove To Ride. Santander Cycles can be hired from Station Square.
Cllr Alex Walker, Leader of MK Conservative Group, joined CMK Cycle Round on 17.6.21 and said: “We all need to start taking this more seriously and I congratulate Citizens MK for this campaign to kickstart a renewed effort to boost cycling in the city.”
As part of a project with MK Council, Citizens:mk members and schools are competing to cycle most times and most miles in June Bike Month. See the leader boards:
212 citizens from 30 civil society institutions attended the Thames Valley Citizens Accountability Assembly on 29th April.
29 leaders from 15 institutions presented five campaigns with specific asks of Police & Crime Commissioner candidates, and leaders of the main political parties in Milton Keynes Council, ahead of elections on 6th May.
Southwood Primary school pupils talked about their environment (see Stacey and Eliza videos) and the Rt Rev Bishop Olivia of Reading spoke powerfully about how the Diocese of Oxford, main sponsor of Thames Valley Citizens, is taking action on climate change (min 52-54).
The assembly ended with a Ramadan blessing from Imam Ahmed Hilal.
“The content of the evening was brilliant, really engaging,” said Linda Kirk of MK Anglican Deanery. “The testimonies were convincing and the children’s were amazing…I felt proud to be part of it.”
“This was my first Citizens Assembly and it was incredibly inspiring and powerful,” said Emma Humphreys of The Oxford Academy. “I am just starting my journey with Citizens UK and this was a fantastic opportunity to see it in action.”
Following the election, leaders of Thames Valley Citizens will hold powerholders to account for their pledges.
On 23rd March, Thames Valley Citizens held its annual Delegates Assembly online. This followed deeper research by campaign teams formed at Leaders Forum on 10th November. 45 leaders from developing citizens alliances in Oxford and Reading, and 12 Citizens MK member institutions, gave consent for five campaign action teams to present to the Police & Crime Commissioner and Leader of MK Council on 29th April.
Campaign
Target
Ask
Action Team
Action on Climate Change
Police & Crime Commissioner; Leader of MK Council
Police to be carbon-neutral by 2030, Council to discuss carbon fee and dividend
Cornerstone (Rick), MK Green Alliance (Rob, Kirsty, Michael), St. Pauls (Craig), MK Quakers (?), Southwood (?)
Young People & Police
Police & Crime Commissioner
Police to set up youth panel, school police day, pilot police lunches in four primary schools (£10k)
MK Academy (Molly), St. Pauls (Annie), Southwood (Kate)
Burial & Death Registration
Leader of MK Council
Council to provide deaths registration 7dpw and burial facilities in accordance with religious beliefs by Aug 2021
MK Deanery (Linda), TGTR (Linda M), MKMA (Hamid & Salim), Reading (Shaheen & Mustafa), Council of Faiths (Arif), OU (Satheesh)
Misogyny as Hate Crime
Police & Crime Commissioner
PCC to include intersectional recording of hate crime in quarterly report.
Cornerstone (Maggie), MK Academy (Rue & Raphael), OU (Janice & Jane), Q:alliance (Tracie Farrell), TGTR (Alifa & Kurshida), St. Pauls (Elysia)
Digital Inclusion
Leader of MK Council
Explore cost/benefit and funding of free wifi in Fishermead and Lakes Estate
24 leaders participated in presentations, some for the first time.
Pledges were made for turnout of 143 at Accountability Assembly 29th April (details below).
In a short evaluation immediately after the Assembly, 20 leaders scored the event 8.5 out of 10. Points lost as process of Institutions reporting their commitments to action teams and assembly turnout could have been clearer.
Orchard Academy primary school has taken top spot in a new league table of CitizensMK members and partner organisations. At 21st March, three weeks into MK Council’s Ride It Out promotion month, Orchard has four of its staff in the top 7 riders who have cycled most miles.
One is Michelle Carter (pictured above), who for several years has been involved in promoting cycling among young children. As well as teaching full time, and having four children of her own at home, Michelle set up her own company, Biker Tots, to teach children from as young as two to cycle.
Jonathan Wilson, Deputy Headteacher at Orchard Academy (pictured below), is also in the top 7 riders of Cycling CitizensMK.
“I just love getting outdoors,” he said. “One good thing about lockdown has been seeing more families out on their bikes.
“At Orchard we want to get back to training our pupils to cycle as soon as possible. There’s so much to enjoy about being indoors rather than just computer gaming at home.”
Rev Gill Barrow-Jones, of St. George’s and Holy Trinity Churches in Wolverton, has been getting around on her bicycle. 22 trips in the last 18 days, as part of MK Council’s Ride It Out promotion in March (see her stats)!
“I cycle for lots of reasons,” she says. “Sometimes cycle It’s because I am late on the school run and it gets me there quickly! Other times because it’s a great way to get around in my parish. Whilst cycling I can see loads of people and stop to chat quite easily and hear what is going on in Wolverton.
“I did 8 miles last weekend delivering Mothering Sunday posies. Loved it!
“I like to cycle because it keeps me fit (especially with the gym and swimming pool closed). It’s good to get out and get active.
“I also cycle because it is good for the environment. God asks us to care for the world and turning on the car engine creates a lot of CO2. Getting on a bike is good for everyone.
“I especially like to cycle with my kids. It is such good fun and gets them off electronic devices for a while too!
“I’d love more people to cycle. The Redways in Milton Keynes make it super easy. Go get your bike out!”
18 Muslim leaders from 8 mosques heard testimony from three people who have recently experienced trauma through lack of death registration services at the weekend. Now they are researching the Council’s interest and planning action.
According to Islamic law (shariah), the body should be buried as soon as possible from the time of death, which means that funeral planning and preparations begin immediately (including administrative & religious obligations). Burial is usually within 24 hours of death to protect the living from any sanitary issues and to honour the dead. Not burying the dead in the prescribed time carries a religious dilemma about whether the person was righteous. The Prophet of Islam clearly commands Muslims to hasten the burial:
“Hasten (the burial), if he is righteous, you are hastening him to good. If not, then it is evil you are removing from your necks.” [Bukhari]
At the moment the MK Muslim community is struggling to fulfil this religious commandment for weekends as there are no provisions or policy from the MK Council for out of hours registrations or burials.
It is not often that a Bishop, Headteacher, Lawyer, Mayor and Police Chief, all decide to cycle on the same day. But the days are getting longer, an end to Covid restrictions is in sight, and MK leaders are choosing to Ride It Out.
On Monday 1st March, 20 leaders of faith, education and business organisations, rode their bikes to promote a month of Ride It Out cycling in a partnership between MK Council and Citizens:mk.
“I may be more of a walker than a cyclist,” said Cllr Peter Marland, Leader of MK Council, “but it is vital we move to more sustainable modes of transport and I look forward to getting out more on my bike in March.”
“It’s a no brainer,” said Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham. “I listen to children a lot during my visits to schools, and I know how important it is to them to see us doing what we can to reduce climate change.”
“This past year has been difficult for our pupils,” said Jo-Anne Hoarty, Headteacher of St. Paul’s Catholic School. “Encouraging them to enjoy doing things outdoors is important for their wellbeing.”
“We know how important it is to be physically and mentally fit,” said Rukhsana Malik of MK Muslim Association (pictured). “Cycling is a relatively cheap, exhilarating and easy way to get healthy while going places.”
“For years my political opponents have been telling me to ‘get on yer bike!’,” said MK Mayor Andrew Geary. “Well now I’m pleased to be doing it to support this great initiative by Citizens:MK. Cycling is great fun and it’s good for us too! Why not give it a try even if you haven’t done it for a while?”
In Ride It Out there will be four themed weeks, each with a different reason to ride and enjoy all the benefits that biking can bring. From the physical and mental benefits through to the fun and adventurous, Ride it Out will help people to get healthier and happier whilst helping the planet too.
You can join Ride It Out by registering at www.lovetoride.net/uk and share your cycling photos and experiences on Twitter: @citizensMK @mkcouncil @lovetoride_ @GetSmarterMK #RideItOutTogether.
This is not about pretending you’re a regular or committed cyclist (if you aren’t one), just that you think it’s a good thing to do at least sometimes.
On Wednesday 25th November, International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, eight men representing five Citizens:mk institutions made the White Ribbon Promise and took part in a walking action at the MK Rose.
Citizens:mk and Thames Valley Citizens leaders are asked to sign up to the White Ribbon Promise.
The action will complement the new MK Domestic Abuse Prevention Strategy, which only aims to work with school students or perpetrators. It has piloted a trial with female students at one school – but did not speak to the male students.
We believe that “Most men are not violent to women and role modelling positive examples of masculinity to other men is a valuable thing for society as a whole, making for a happier work/life balance, improved personal relationships, more productivity in the workplace and better customer/client interaction. “
White Ribbon encourage all men to wear a White Ribbon, and make the Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. This is a serious declaration and requires thought and consideration before it is made.
They specifically ask men to make the Promise, however anyone over the age of 14 can take it.
You can order a White Ribbon lapel badge to wear, or just download the logo and send us that in your email.But this is not a tick box exercise, it is a promise to take action every day (see below for webinars that you could sign up for or promote).
White Ribbon Ambassadors are men, from all walks of life, who are working with White Ribbon to change the cultures that lead to violence against women.
Men are promising to be a positive male role model in their community, including within workplaces, leisure activities, online, and among friends.
Woman are promising to encourage men and boys, organisations, networks and communities to say ‘NO’ to violence against women.
26 November – Exploring ways to prevent gendered violence and challenge masculine norms in a time of crisis. Sandy Ruxton and Dr Stephen Burrell will share the outcomes of their recently published Promundo report, Masculinities and COVID-19: Making the Connections, and offer practical ways that this understanding can be used to engage, and work with, young men.
8th December – Engaging men in preventing violence against women with Dr Michael Flood Dr Michael Flood will share his research and practical knowledge to address what men can do to prevent and reduce violence against women. Dr Flood is an Australian sociologist and an associate professor at the Queensland University of Technology School of Justice.
FURTHER INFORMATION
New lockdown regulations coming into force will mean that calls to domestic violence helplines will inevitably increase. In June this year calls to the National helpline saw a 77% increase and in Milton Keynes one in five residents reported experiencing domestic violence.
November 25 is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and also marks White Ribbon Day.
White Ribbon UK is part of the global movement to end male violence against women by engaging with men and boys to individually and collectively take action and challenge behaviour. White Ribbon Ambassadors are men working to change the cultures that lead to male violence and White Ribbon Champions are women who encourage men to get involved.
We are asking you to inform yourselves about the White Ribbon campaign and to encourage members in your organisation to join up as ambassadors or champions.
We want to see at least two people in each of our supporter organisations signing up to Wear a White Ribbon and Make the Promise so that we can work towards Citizens:mk becoming a White Ribbon accredited organisation and invite other organisations around Milton Keynes to follow.
Sign up asap to receive a White Ribbon Badge in time for White Ribbon Day.
You can find out more about the kind of harassment and difficulty that women experience in their day-to-day lives by looking at the website of Laura Bates and the Everyday Sexism Project www.everydaysexism.com
Please let us know by November 24 how many of your members have signed up to the White Ribbon Promise, and we will share this with our followers in Milton Keynes.
Following listening campaigns involving more than a hundred conversations (see submissions from institutions), 27 leaders from nine member institutions shared the headline results and prioritised four social problems for further research with deeper listening: Climate Change, Racism, Misogyny and Digital Exclusion. Others may emerge.
Small teams will organise more 121s over the winter months towards creating SMART campaign goals for Delegates Assembly on 9th February 2021, which member institutions pledged a turnout of 76 people to attend.
Citizens:mk is delighted to learn that former Co-Chair Kurshida Mirza has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her interfaith contribution to Milton Keynes through Trubys Garden Tea Room and the Great Get Together Iftar.
Married with two children and living in Milton Keynes since 1990, Kurshida has a research, policy and strategy background working within local and central government. She held many portfolios in Government including leading on housing for vulnerable and older people, community engagement, tackling worklessness and homelessness.
As well as being former Co-Chair of Citizens:mk, Kurshida is Chair for MK Community Foundation and founder of Trubys Garden Tea Room – MK’s interfaith cafe and the Midlands Chair for Housing Learning and Information Network (a learning and improvement network connecting housing, health and care). Kurshida is also the founder of the Great Get Together Iftar MK which brings people from all faiths and the wider community to join Muslims during Ramadan to break the fast. The Great Get Together Iftar and Trubys Interfaith Cafe are both growing from strength to strength with a huge following in MK as a conduit for positive dialogue between Muslims and the wider community.
Kurshida said: “I am truly humbled by this recognition. All thanks is to Allah and the success of both Trubys Garden Tea Room and the Great Get Together Iftar are because of all our volunteers and partners who work tirelessly throughout the year.”
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 various MK health providers. It was hoped this would lead to new opportunities for understanding, collaboration and perhaps action to improve the way things are.
Jabeer Butt, CEO, Race Equality Foundation – national perspective on evidence of health inequalities (read testimony)
Dr Aysha Ziauddin – a GP living in MK and working in Northampton – sharing her thoughts on the issues for BAME communities (hear testimony)
Mrs Humaira Hasan – a local MK resident – why equal access to health is important to her as a citizen (hear testimony)
Then there were six rounds of 7-minute one-to-one conversations.
At the end of the event, a small team agreed to meet in two weeks to prioritise issues, taking note of comments written in Zoom Chat, and work to set a direction for action to bring about change (read written comments).
Humaira Hasan of Truby’s Garden Tea Room wrote: “It was nice to be able to speak to others whom I wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to interact with. Also nice to have a platform where I can speak freely!”
Find other ‘leaders’ who can organise their own 5 one-to-one conversations
Gather information from all your institution’s one-to-one conversations using this summary form. In the score box, please average scores (0-5) from the individual listening forms.
Early in the session, participants observed a 121 between the Co-Chairs and made the following comments:
I liked the image of the cheese and celery sandwich over which Jane’s feminism was inspired by her Nanna Gertie!
I think it makes a difference whether you know the person well or whether it is your first meeting. Fidele said that you need to find a hook .
inspired by the input Nanna Gertie on Jane
The mention of her nanna was powerful because it stared up memories and gave them a shared story…
talking properly with someone I wouldn’t normally meet.
I really liked the honesty and hearing how someone had influenced Jane’s life. I think we all have one or more people like that. It’s good to remember them.
We liked the idea of connecting with people’s anger, and using that to light fires in people. Also digging deeper with asking the question of where that anger comes from.
Interesting to hear the campaigns that others are a part of, as well as hearing their stories and the work they’ve done, as well as having a more personal touch.
I agree with Sheila s point about prior knowledge of the person.
Great way of learning more about what motivates people (especially through our personal stories) and that connects us to them in future.
Interesting chat on the difference between leading a campaign and being co-chair! We still need the anger though!
It was great that the questions encouraged personal stories as this helps people build connections between people even if they hadn’t know each other prior (also loved Jane’s story
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 event was intended to build relationships and identify BAME issues in relation to the Police as the start of a wider listening process.
Following the event, students Chloe Harding and Harvind Gill from MK Academy school will lead a listening campaign with other sixth form students, and Phil Shamamba of MK Congolese Community will lead a campaign within the wider African Diaspora.
“It was good to get the perspectives of high-ranking police officers,” said Chloe. “I think some of the tensions between young people and the police could be reduced if there were more BAME officers.”
Superintendent Tarbit said: “It’s good for us to hear voices we don’t normally hear. We look forward to talking further when the student survey is done.”
38 people from a wide range of Citizens:mk member and non-member institutions attended a special online assembly to celebrate the unveiling of a World Refugee Day pillar at MK Rose (picturedabove). The pillar reads: People from around the world have helped build this city – Milton Keynes welcomes refugees. See video of unveiling.
The assembly heard testimonies from Syrian refugees and the leaders of the Refugees Welcome MK charity (RWMK) which formed five years ago, at the height of the Syrian refugee crisis, to support their settlement in MK.
Other powerful testimonies from refugees were read aloud (hear testimonies).
Cllr Peter Marland was thanked as the Leader of MK Council for its courageous decision to welcome people from Syria as part of the Vulnerable Person’s Resettlement Scheme (VPRS). (Earlier in the day he received thank you baklava prepared by one of the Syrian refugee families, pictured above). Also celebrated was the work of the British Red Cross, both the staff and the volunteers who worked tirelessly to resettle refugees and support those who vulnerable or disadvantaged. Cllr Marland pledged to facilitate 4-monthly meetings at Civic Offices of a new multi-agency forum to address issues that refugees face in accessing health services and digital poverty.
Marc Eisenstadt, Treasurer of RWMK,, explained action that had already been taken to address digital poverty: a Working Group on Digital Poverty in MK has been set up to address three key areas : laptop provision, internet broadband or mobile pay-as-you-go gadgets for connecting the laptops, and training to make best use of the technology.
In post-assembly evaluation with leaders who organised and attended the assembly, the event scored 9.5 out of 10.
RWMK plans to close down its operation as a facilitator of VPRS. Citizens:mk will continue to campaign on Refugee Welcome issues.
Thames Valley Citizens is the newest chapter of Citizens UK, growing out of the pioneering work of Citizens:mk in Milton Keynes over the last ten years, bolstered by Sponsoring Committees for new alliances in Oxford and Reading (first meetings later this month), and member organisations across the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the inaugural Thames Valley Citizens Assembly had been planned for late April, to coincide with the Police and Crime Commissioner election. What happened instead was a more reflective gathering which recognised and listened to those working on the frontline against Covid (council leaders, the CEO of a hospital, the Police Commissioner, volunteer co-ordinators, education providers, PPE-makers etc), held mini house-meetings in breakouts to envision a more just Thames Valley post-Covid, sought a seat at the table with with power-holders, and demanded action on 5 current issues: improving death registration services, Living Wage for Careworkers, tackling climate change, action on misogyny and improving death registration services (4 of these issues had been voted on at a Delegates’ Assembly that had been held pre-Lockdown on Zoom).
Turnout was 95 on Zoom (almost double the target) plus 600 views on Facebook live, with a balance of participants across MK, Oxford and Reading – and a smattering from the wider Thames Valley area.
The Police and Crime Commissioner committed to quarterly meetings with Thames Valley Citizens, with a firm commitment on action to improve relationships between young people and the police, and an open door to explore Living Wage accreditation, action to reduce carbon emissions, and recording misogyny as a hate crime, in his remaining year of office.
The leaders of Milton Keynes Council and Reading Council also attended, and became the first in the country to back our Living Wage for Careworkers Campaign – they are already accredited Living Wage employers and will publicly join our call on the UK Government to invest £1.4billion so that social care employees are paid the Real Living Wage.
The Assembly welcomed the Diocese of Oxford, which is funding the development of Thames Valley Citizens with a £150,000 commitment over 5 years. All 4 bishops participated, with the Bishop of Oxford leading the opening reflection. Here’s how the Diocese wrote it up.
Thames Valley Citizens will now grow through the creation of Temporary Sponsoring Committees in Oxford and reading. If you would like to know more, contact:
Police & Crime Commissioner receives ‘Thank You Police’ cake on the morning of the Assembly, as part of Thames Valley Citizens’ thanks for the efforts of public service leaders during the Covid-19 crisis
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 a carousel of short one-to-one conversations between people who wouldn’t otherwise meet. The focus question for this event was: “What are the current issues facing refugees and asylum-seekers in relation to poverty and disadvantage?”
Written comments from participants at the end of the session were as follows:
Home schooling is a challenge due to lack of the right technology, such as laptops, computers, etc, and because of language
It is a real issue if you don’t have the right technology and good internet.
Home schooling, mental health and relationship breakdown, are the main issues.
Dependency- ESOL not the suitable method for teaching-access to mental health support-digital poverty- hidden discrimination- a need to liaise more with council, politicians (local MPs), decision makers etc.,
Digital poverty – exacerbating social isolation and mental health illness. Reduction in mental health services – especially for those with language barriers and those who do not have access to public funds and can therefore not access specialists services.
Access to mental health support especially for parents with mental health needs as well as children with complex needs. Access to financial support to buy basic food essentials and health prescriptions. Issues with inability to claim Universal Credit. Issues around domestic violence and the need to leave the accommodation they are in. Issues around Home Schooling: Parents levels of literacy and digital poverty.
For health services, access to interpreter services is patchy; GP receptionists are saying they are not allowed to call an interpreter to help with arranging appointments. Letters from the NHS which give instructions for scans or tests, or letters reporting the outcomes are not understood. It was suggested that patient records should have a flag on them which alerts the GP or Hospital to contact patients in order to communicate these and bring in an interpreter OR have standard instructions templates in a variety of languages which are provided centrally and adapted locally.
Access to a translator at the GPs – not all GPs knowing what they are allowed. Not understanding how the healthcare system works.
Closing of hotels so refugees being made homeless. Option of moving in with a family no longer available
Accessing mental health, stigma attached (culture), language barriers
Issues around stigma are huge. Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants may have fear – fear of the unknown, not knowing who to trust, who to ask. Fear of being judged. Mental Health issues carry stigma, and with many people refugees and asylum seekers live with MH issues and less access to support and interventions. Lack of compassion and understanding in the general public is huge. Negativity and judgement is rife.
Weaving Trust events do help increase understanding when we talk! Thank you for this opportunity.
In post-session evaluation, participants scored the event 8 out of 10.
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 is a carousel of short one-to-one conversations between people who wouldn’t otherwise meet. The focus question for this event was: “Where do we see strength in our community and how can it be used to support mental health and wellbeing?”
Following the conversations, participants shared various reactions and suggestions (below).
Rev Catherine Butt, Vicar of St. Frideswide’s Church, said: “It went to prove that listening and learning can happen virtually in this way, despite the obvious compromises. At St Frideswide’s we are looking forward to working with our partner institutions as we emerge from these strange days, with hope for a fairer and more just society.”
Comments from participants at the end of the session were as follows:
What has struck me is that mental health issues can affect anyone at anytime to varying degrees – no one is immune
A minor stress for one person is unbearable for another
My own context would be very stressful for many people, whereas it’s not for me
We need to be aware of/sensitive to the mental stress of children
Community can be about social support too, for example, spot those who are lonely and bring them in. How we do that in lockdown may be more of a challenge for communities.
Community can help by making people feel as if they belong. People can feel very lonely and isolated in a whole slew of different contexts, but they have to feel they matter to someone, and feel valued, otherwise as humans we feel cut off even if we are in a crowd.
Aspects that came up in some of my chats: the benefit of green spaces and nature, the sharing of cross generational experience for the support of young and old; smaller communities with hubs at the centre for meeting and activities.
This session has been great and I think communities need to be very aware of children and young people and their mental health going forward
Acknowledging we cannot make it right but are there in support of others, we all have skills and experience and can use these to encourage and share in getting alongside others
It’s been great to talk to five different people coming at the topic from such different perspectives. Strengths in our community/ies that came up in our chats included green spaces in Mk, such as canals, lakes, parks; churches and faith groups a resource for community groups offering somewhere to meet, and volunteers to help community groups to build relationships, and talking to one another. During lockdown, MH is being talked about more because of the detrimental effect staying indoors not seeing loved ones, and the worry about work, money, ill health, etc. But it is good it is being talked about because we need to bring it out in the open, and break stigma. People are reaching out to one another during lockdown at a new level, which is building relationships and this is good for our wellbeing, and so is having a bit more time for quality times with family, parents and children, spouses, etc, and to do less and be more.
Stability is important in uncertain times – how do we provide/help that when projects/funding comes and goes?
It would be good if the new found community spirit could be continued past the lockdown phase. Checking in with a neighbour or group Whatsapps for example.
I wish we could come with other terms, something that carries less of the stigma and less of the medical baggage…wellbeing is a good start.
I was thinking about how we connect to the people who have any degree of mental health but are either coping or not coping behind closed doors. We don’t know about them and they may no know that there are agencies to help them or feel unable to ask for help. The only way seems to be building relationships within small communities.
We need to understand that whilst people’s physical needs can be met, anxiety and mental wellbeing is as important and being able to signpost people to help as well as talking is important. There are a number of different community initiatives that can help. Arts organisations, MIND, amongst others are all still working.
One key phrase that stood out was mutual aid.
How can community support those who are in acute need? There is plenty of advice coming out from agencies and local services e.g. Arthur Ellis on MKFM on Sunday.
It’s a concern that people living with MH issues that belong to groups are not able to attend during lockdown.
There has certainly been a shift in the community around me towards talking when there is an opportunity – we can encourage this by responding even just by smiling/body language.
In post-session evaluation, participants scored the event 8 out of 10.
On 13 March, Citizens:mk Co-Chairs Hala Afify and Jane Whild (pictured) met Ben Everitt, new MP for Milton Keynes North, his Communications Officer, Liam Andrews, and Alex Walker, Leader of MK Conservative Group. They thanked Alex for honouring the pledge he made at the Parliamentary Candidates’ Assembly in December, for Citizens:mk leaders to meet within 3 months of the recent General Election. Also in attendance was Community Organiser Tom Bulman.
During the first meeting rounds, everyone introduced themselves and their interests.
Following that, Tom, Jane and Hala presented our agreed CMK campaign priorities and aims for the Police and Crime Commissioner Assembly. At the meeting end, all participants agreed it was good to meet in person and that we had established a good foundation for future communication. As a next step, Tom will arrange for Ben to meet the Red Cross and Syrian refugees, who have been supported by our chapter.
In their reflections on the meeting, Hala said “it was good to meet my MP and to find him attentive and willing to engage. I spoke about the Fair Work campaign that I have been leading for a year and half, and I was able to tell the story of my involvement with Citizens:mk after my dismissal by email.”
Jane commented “it was good to meet Ben and hear about his local priorities as well as the Domestic Violence bill that will be coming before Parliament in the future. Misogyny is a root cause of domestic violence, hence my leading campaign which aims to tackle it. ”
Since the meeting, we learned that the Local Council and PCC elections have been postponed by a year, which means we’ll have to change our plans for 29th April Assembly! The Leadership Team will consider taking our campaigns to the incumbent PCC.
Finally, we welcome David Chapman, from The Church of Christ the Cornerstone, to the Treasurer role, which he has taken over from Linda McComie. On behalf of all our members, we thank Linda for doing such a marvellous job as Treasurer over recent years.
David was not present at the meeting with Ben, but having previously participated in the unsuccessful attempts to meet with Ben’s predecessor, Mark Lancaster, David said that he was very encouraged to hear of the positive start to building a relationship with Ben.
Hosted by St. Frideswide’s Church in Water Eaton, south Milton Keynes, the assembly was co-chaired by Rob Paton of MK Quakers and Hala Afify of Truby’s Garden Tea Room, and attended by 43 people from 11 Citizens:mk member institutions.
It was agreed to support the following four campaign goals and focus resources on the two which got the most votes (in brackets):
Action on Climate Change, led by Kirsty Forshaw of MK Green Alliance: Commit to declaring a climate emergency across the Thames Valley Police Force, meeting quarterly with us to prepare and present your action plan at next year’s Citizens Accountability Assembly for going carbon neutral by 2030 (48).
Police & Schools Together, led by Tony Berwick of Jubilee Wood Primary School: A Thames Valley Police contact and backup team attached to every school so that Headteachers can confidently expect communication throughout the school year and a shared understanding of local issues (40).
Real Living Wage, led by Rukhsana Malik of MK Muslim Association: Apply Real Living Wage to every employee and contractor in Thames Valley Police (21).
MisogynyAs Hate Crime, led by Jane Whild of The Open University: Classify misogyny as a recordable hate crime within a year and publish quarterly sex disaggregated data for all hate crimes within 6 months (21).
In group evaluation immediately after the assembly, delegates in MK scored the event 8 out of 10; in Oxford, 7.5 out of 10.
Comments received:
The venue was very good (much better than the Guildhall at Christ the Cornerstone, where MK’s Delegates Assemblies have been held previously).
The campaign leaders had prepared well, with clear presentations and clear goals.
Business was successfully completed to the satisfaction of most delegates.
Turnout below usual ‘5 delegates per institution’ target and several MK institutions only had one delegate.
Effective participation of Reading and Oxford.
Technology not perfect. Difficult to read what was on the screen at times (text too small). Some hiccoughs in the communication with Oxford and Reading. Hard for speakers not being able to control their powerpoints.
The voting was a bit confused. Would have been better if we’d known how the votes would be used before deciding on our scores.
A delegate from one of the Catholic Churches had said she was uneasy about speaking on behalf of her organisation because she was there on her own and said she would vote mainly for the Green campaign, because the Pope had spoken out strongly on environmental issues. Someone then shouted out ‘and what has the Pope to say about misogyny”, to which there was some laughter – not in the spirit of how Citizens works.
Partisan cheering and clapping by campaign teams also not in the spirt of how Citizens works.
Turnout pledged for the PCC Assembly was 185 as below:
On 2nd December, 181 people from 19 diverse community organisations gathered at Church of Christ the Cornerstone to hear MK’s parliamentary candidates introduce themselves and respond to the campaign interests of Citizens:mk alliance.
The event aimed to promoterespectful dialogue for more informed voting at the General Election on 12th December. All candidates were invited and co-chairs Kurshida Mirza of Truby’s Garden Tea Room and Neil Hutchinson of MK Academy (pictured above) expressed disappointment that the Conservative Party candidates for MK North and South, held by Conservative MPs since 2010, were unable to attend this Citizens:mk assembly because they were busy elsewhere.
A rap video was played, Planet Water by pupils from Orchard Academy primary school (see lyrics), and some attendees put on Greta Thunberg masks (pictured above) to show solidarity with the children and young people in MK and around the world who are campaigning for action on climate change.
After short welcome speeches from Rev George Mwaura and MK Mayor Sam Crooks (pictured below), the presentations from Citizens:mk’s campaign leaders (pictured below) got underway:
After everyone was asked to have a short one-to-one conversation with someone they didn’t know (pictured below) the six attending parliamentary candidates made their five-minute presentations, each strictly timed by Boyzie Morse of MK Quaker Meeting.
The candidates were asked to respond to the following questions:
why are you standing for election? (one minute)
response to one question selected by Citizens:mk Leadership Group from questions emailed in advance by registered attendees: If elected, how would you make sure your priority is to Milton Keynes before your party, and how would you ensure the views of local residents aren’t ignored? (one minute)
response to Citizens:mk Asks below (two minutes).
The asks – If elected, will you…
Attend and contribute to our Annual Assembly
Convene meetings we arrange with local business and other leaders, in support of a local Campaign (one per year)
Call for and support in Parliament measures conducive to our local campaigns
Meet with our Leadership Team twice a year for one hour, either in MK or Westminster.
These were the candidates and their responses:
Alan Francis, The Green Party (MK South) – see video
Stephen Fulton, Independent (MK South) – see video
Hannah O’Neill, Labour Party (MK South) – see video
Aisha Mir, Liberal Democrats (MK North) – see video
Charlynne Pullen, Labour Party (MK North) – see video
Catherine Rose, The Green Party (MK North) – see video
In the absence of the Conservative candidates, the Leader of the Conservative group on MK Council was given the opportunity to read statements from them (pictured below). He pledged to organise a meeting between any Conservative MP(s) elected and members of Citizens:mk Leadership Group within three months of the election.
Saleyha Ahsan, Liberal Democrat candidate for MK South, sent her apologies for absence due to ill health.
In a group Evaluation immediately after, the event was scored 8 out of 10, with points being dropped for lower than target turnout and insufficient audibility of all speakers. As Headteacher Neil Hutchinson later pointed out, “this would be a very high grade in GCSE or A level!”
On 26th November, Dr. Fidele Mutwarisibo, leader of Citizens:mk’s First Against Hate campaign, and Julie Upton, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, welcomed Citizens:mk and other community leaders to a light lunch with Anthony Stansfeld, Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, at Church of Christ the Cornerstone.
The purpose of the lunch was to find out more about the role and responsibilities of the PCC, and what it’s really like to do the job, from someone who’s done it for nearly 8 years and will be succeeded by a newly elected PCC in May. Citizens:mk leaders want to be better informed, understand the issues and share their own views to inform and influence the PCC agenda.
This was part of Citizens:mk’s research towards negotiation with candidates for the post at a special assembly for Thames Valley Citizens in Milton Keynes on 29th April (click here for information and to book a place).
It follows the table-top workshop being hosted by MK Police Commander Tim Metcalfe on 17th October (see news story).
“it was a very valuable thing to create space for dialogue helping the Citizens:mk Alliance to work with a broad range of service providers,” said Citizens:mk Co-Chair Kurshida Mirza.
To find out more about how you can contribute to the agenda for PCC candidates at the 29th April Assembly, see this campaign briefing document and/or contact Community Organiser Tom Bulman, tel 07962 838685.
22 people from 11 institutions attended a Syrian lunch for Refugee Welcome Schools & Launch of Community Sponsorship.
After a delicious lunch prepared by the ladies of Syrian Kitchen, guests were welcomed by Ayser Al Jawad of Middle Eastern Cultural Group and Mayor Sam Crooks.
Syrian refugee Bassem Al Haj and his daughter Tasnim gave powerful testimonies of their experiences settling, as a parent and a teenager respectively, since arriving in Milton Keynes four years ago after four years in a refugee camp in Lebanon.
Following presentation of a new ‘Ideas For Action’ resource pack by Jess Maddocks of Citizens UK and Steve Sondhi of NASUWT Birmingham (Refugees Welcome Partner), senior leaders Gill Molloy of Denbigh School and Debbie Gockelen of Milton Keynes Academy pledged their schools’ commitment to attaining Refugee Welcome Schools accreditation. This will take the total number of accredited schools in Milton Keynes to 10, including The Radcliffe School, most recently accredited.
Following presentations from Bekele Woyecha of Citizens UK, and Rev Gill Barrow-Jones of St. George’s & Holy Trinity Church (pictured), Azim and Shelina Maghji pledged commitment to helping their organisation, Building Bridges, to lead MK’s second Sponsor Refugee project.
Mayor Sam Crooks announced the winners of the Refill Poster Competition at a special event hosted by Central Milton Keynes Library. click here to see winners
The bit.do/refillposter webpage also provides you with access to the event slides and a PDF documenting the final group reflections about ideas for where we can take the campaign next. These suggestions will be discussed further with the children and other members of Citizens:MK for us to decide together what we prioritise for worthwhile and winnable action over the coming months.
30 people from six member and 4 non-member institutions attended the Fair Work Round Table at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Heelands.
The aim was to share issues of inequality at work, build relationships with parliamentary candidates for MK North and, through open dialogue, develop ideas for common goals to which candidates will be asked to pledge commitment at a Parliamentary Candidates Assembly on Monday 2nd December.
After a welcome from Debbie Wilson of MK Quakers and Fr Francis Higgins of St. Augustine’s, and special addresses from Mayor Sam Crooks (pictured) and Ian Revell of MK Community Foundation, who presented latest Vital Signs findings on work and the economy), various testimonies of unfair working practices were heard:
Hala Alify of Trubys Garden Tea Room talked about a lack of transparency of contract and termination processes when she was fired from a zero-hours contract, after more than two years of continuous service, by email.
Marion Cole of Works4Us talked about how her organisation supports workers in this situation.
Rukhsana Malik of MK Muslim Association announced the results of an online survey conducted by Citizens:mk between September and November.
Nick Peacock, Managing Director of Ascendant Recruitment, spoke from a recruitment employer’s perspective. He explained his feelings of discomfort at watching workers being unfairly treated in zero hours contracts.
Wider research on fair work policies was presented by Jane Whild of The Open University and Professor Susan Edwards of University of Buckingham.
Jess Goble of the national Living Wage Foundation talked about the Real Living Wage and a new national Living Hours campaign.
David Chapman of Church of Christ the Cornerstone and Hala Afify of Truby’s Garden Tea Room asked for reactions from guest parliamentary candidates, Charlynne Pullen of the Labour Party and Aisha Mir of the Liberal Democrats (The Conservative Party was invited).
Each was asked to agree to include a statement of support for Fair Work in Milton Keynes. Aisha Mir, the Liberal Democrat candidate, agreed that she would include the Fair Work Team’s recommended statement in her maiden speech:
“Milton Keynes is proud to be a place with good employment
opportunities for all, and I will be working with local employers, community
groups and Citizens:MK to further strengthen fair work practices in the city.
Milton Keynes is committed to ensuring that all workers receive a fair day’s
pay for a fair day’s work and intends to lead the way with best practice fair
employment contracts.”
Charlynne Pullen, the Labour Party candidate also agreed to include these words her maiden speech, with the proviso that she would add ‘trade unions’ to the list of people she would work with in order to strengthen fair work practices,
Other parliamentary candidates will be asked to make a similar Fair Work pledge, as well as pledges for action on other Citizens:mk campaigns, at the Parliamentary Candidates Assembly on 2nd December.
10 leaders from six member institutions attended a workshop led by Supt Tim Metcalfe, supported by four police officers, at MK Police Station.
The aim was for leaders of Citizens:mk to understand better the aims, operations and constraints of MK Police, to help their research in planning an agenda for the election of the Police & Crime Commissioner in May 2020; also to help MK Police understand better the experiences of diverse MK community groups and get feedback on ways MK Police can improve its service.
As part of this process, five Citizens:mk leaders signed up to ‘ride-along’ with MK Police on duty, experiencing it from the back of a police car.
The workshop centred on a ‘table-top’ experience reflecting ‘a day in the life of’ from the perspective of Supt Metcalfe and some of the day to day operational decisions that have to be made regarding professional standards and the deployment of limited resources against assessments of threat, harm and risk.
This included anonymised details from a typical daily management meeting where decisions have to be made regarding missing persons and the prioritisation of activity in response to the previous 24hrs’ events. Also a discussion about use of taser guns.
The workshop ended with ideas for improvement and initial discussion about ways Citizens:mk leaders can involve their institutions in supporting the Police effort.
In closing feedback, participants said they found the workshop illuminating and helpful, they’d have liked it to be longer. Supt Metcalfe said he would be happy to welcome a wide range of citizens to attend a similar worksho to help more people understand how the Police operate.
Hala Afify’s team of Fair Work campaigners were disappointed not to see their MP, Rt Hon Mark Lancaster, at the end of their day with Citizens UK in London.
Mark’s PA had explained he was too busy with work at the Ministry of Defence, but campaigners hoped their gift of fresh cookies would give him a break for a few minutes!
In the end Hala and the cookies didn’t get past Reception.
David Chapman of Church of Christ the Cornerstone said: “I know MPs are busy but it is disappointing that my MP seems so hard to get to speak to. We are quite a friendly bunch and would have enjoyed sharing our cookies with him! But it was an enjoyable outing all the same, and hopefully we’ll get to speak to Mark back in Milton Keynes sooner rather than later.”
The team is determined to see Mr. Lancaster, to ask him for advice and support in their campaign to address the issus of unfair dismissal from zero hours contracts and termination of contract by email, and look forward to meeting with him soon.
In photos below, Hala and the team with the cookies and a card outside the MoD. (Note in the photo above BBC reporter Laura Kuenssberg also out and about in Westminster at that time – yes that’s her!)
Of the Citizens UK Delegates Assembly which the team attended during the day, Rob Paton of MK Quaker Meeting said: “It was another uplifting day with Citizens. The agenda we all came up with is quite distinctive. Its politics, Jim, but not as we know it…’
School councillors from the following schools attended: Jubilee Wood Primary, Orchard Primary, St. Monica’s Primary, St. Paul’s Secondary and Southwood Primary, who hosted the initial training at the start of the day.
Following a welcome from Southwood Headteacher Kate Mathews, the pupils talked in a series of 1-2-1s about their individual and institutions’ actions on climate change, then saw Greta’s video.
Three leaders of MK Green Alliance – Kirsty Forshaw ( Research Fellow for DeMontfort University on ‘POWER’ project & Refill Champion for MK ), Craign Broadbent (MK Cycle Forum) and Sharon Ghouila (Green Steps Consulting), presented testimonies on the impact of single use water bottles, cycling and recycling in/around thecentre:mk shopping centre.
The pupils then moved into three mixed groups to focus on one of the three issues, created SMART research questions and designed a questionnaire for their listening campaign in thecentre:mk:
After a break, students set off for the research action in thecentre:mk, splitting into four zones for thecentremk research), then moving to the Council Chamber in Civic Offices for squash, biscuits and packed lunch.
pupils presented their research findings by school group and heard from Cllr Jennifer Marklew, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Climate Action, about MK Council’s pledge to be carbon-neutral by 2030.
Students then prioritised the issues for action, identifying power holders, and created the following SMART campaign goals:
75% of businesses in thecentre:mk sign up for the Refill scheme by 1st April 2020.
At least three new Refill stations are created in big anchor stores (M&S, John Lewis or Intu) by July 2020.
Clean and accessible public water fountains are created (up to 8) by July 2020.
Some schools also created goals for action on themselves:
Halve food wasted at Jubilee Wood Primary School by July 2020.
Reduce plastic water bottle use at Orchard Primary Academy by 85% by Easter 2020.
Provide Year 7 pupils at St. Paul’s Catholic School with school-branded water bottles by December 2019.
Pupils then took the five-minute walk to Church of Christ the Cornerstone – the fourth and last institution they visited during the day – to present their campaign goals to members of Citizens:’mk’s Leadership Group.
David Chapman, a member of Cornerstone Church, welcomed the pupils and talked about his own campaign to persuade the church to require its room hirers to complete a short environmental audit.
The pupils presented their campaign goals to eight leaders of Citizens:mk member institutions , including co-chair Kurshida Mirza, and received their formal consent.
In post-event evaluation, pupils gave this internal action – which was intended to create in pupils a positive reaction to opportunities for action on climate change – a score of 8 out of 10.
One pupil said: “I feel proud of what I did today.” Another said: “I’ve never spoken to a group like that before.”
Jo Cayley, Assistant Headteacher of Jubilee Wood Primary School, said: “The children were really inspired by the day. They have come back to school and shared information about the refill scheme and the school’s mission to reduce food waste at lunchtimes!”
As a young person in Milton Keynes, it is often hard to feel your voice is being heard, especially in the current political climate. that’s why organisations like Citizens MK are so important when it comes to the opinions and concerns of young people, being respected by powerholders in the community.
11 students from The Radcliffe School Sixth Form took part in a one-term ‘Anger to Action’ course organised by Citizens:mk and funded by MK Community Foundation.
With the help of Tom, the Community Organiser, a small group of us shared our thoughts and ideas about what angered us, issues such as part time jobs and school facilities were topics everyone agreed needed to be explored, but after further discussion, it became clear that there was a more pressing social issue that affected all schools across Milton Keynes. Single use plastics.
Tom assisted us in putting pressure onto our headteacher and other positions of power within the school, to try and get a response from them, in regards to the excessive amounts of single use plastics used in our canteen. Every member of staff we spoke to was extremely cooperative and after weeks of negotiating, research and bargaining, we took the issue to the student council.
This platform gave us yet a louder voice and through them we were finally able to create enough of a stir to be acknowledged and real steps to be taken in the direction of reducing our single use plastics.
We all enjoyed the project and ultimately learned a lot from Tom and the other inspiring leaders we mingled with over the months, many of which, gave us the opportunity to get our voice heard and make a change for good.
12 people from 7 member and 4 non-member institutions attended Citizens:mk’s first One-Day Training at MK Quaker Meeting House. Participants included guests from Hong Kong Citizens.
Co-led by Jonathan Cox, Deputy-Director of Citizens UK, the training included a simulation of planning for action on climate change in MK city centre as well as the concepts and tools of community organising for change in local communities.
Leaders in negotiation role play
In post-training comments, trainees said:
“The training helped me learn about power analysis and 1-2-1s”
“It was very informative. Managed to fit a lot into a short period of time, without it feeling rushed.”
“Good opportunity to meet other Citizens:mk members and disucss possibilities.”
“The time was just right.”
Trainees will now unertake action for social change in their communities, with the support of mentoring from members of Citizens:mk’s Leadership Group. School leaders will participate in a shared research action to reduce carbon footprint in MK’s city centre.
22 people from 8 member and 4 non-member institutions attended the Annual General Meeting on 17th September. The meeting included presentations from:
Rob Paton, Citizens:mk Ambassador (fomer Chair) – reflections on progress of Citizens:mk
Ian Revell, CEO MK Community Foundation – initial findings of Vital Signs 2019 research
Jess Maddocks, Development Organiser for Reading Citizens – growth of new Thames Valley Citizens chapter.
Other guests included representatives of MK Welfare Association and the University of Buckingham.
11 leaders were nominated and agreed to serve on the Leadership Group in 2019-20, as follows:
Kurshida Mirza, Truby’s Garden Tea Room
Tim Norwood, MK Deanery
Sheila Bacon, MK Quaker Meeting
Linda McComie, Truby’s Garden Tea Room
Sharon Ghoulia, MK Green Alliance
Jane Whild, The Open University
Rukhsana Malik, MK Muslim Association
Hala Afify, Truby’s Garden Tea Room
Kirsten Jeffery, MK Green Alliance
David Chapman, Church of Christ the Cornerstone
Michael Sheppard, MK Green Alliance.
Kurshida Mirza and Tim Norwood resigned as Co-Chairs. Kurshida agreed to stand in as Co-Chair until two other members of the Group were nominated and trained to take over.
Jane Whild volunteered to represent the MK Group on Citizens UK’s national Leadership Group.
Following a presentation from Hala Afify, leader of the Fair Work campaign, the Fair Work Listening Campaign was launched with attendees agreeing to promote the new online survey within their institutions, https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QRRCS79.
Evaluation of the AGM, as an internal action, concluded a score of 8 out of 10.
David Chapman, who attended the AGM representing Church of Christ the Cornerstone, said: “It was frustrating that I was only able to stay for a short while because the mix of people present, from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of different organisations, is so inspiring. I really wanted to hear what everyone had to say. At a time of national stress and conflict, all Citizens:MK events are local oases of hope.”
Eight community leaders graduated formally from Citizens:mk’s Two-Day Training courses, which ran in September 2018 and March 2019.
At a Learning Exchange event hosted by MK Academy, eight leaders from five institutions gave short presentations on what they had learned on the course and how they had applied it in their community leadership.
“Presenting back to the group was a memorable moment of my life,” said Sagarika Chakravarti of Jubilee Wood Primary School. “The training has made a big difference to my passion for making impact in my community.”
“I found this event very encouraging,” said Gill Bradley of St. Frideswide’s Church. “It was good to hear from others how they had applied what they had learnt from the 2-day training, and what had been achieved. Even those who didn’t think they had achieved much, were able to articulate how what they had learnt had inspired them to do something specific. I was also encouraged by the affirmation I received from one of the guests regarding my presentation.”
“Hearing others’ stories helped me learn new strategies,” said Tom Bartlett of Aspire Oxford. “Hearing about the range of complex community-organising scenarios set foundations for useful steps I can take in making positive changes within Milton Keynes.’
Graduation certificates were awarded by Citizens:mk Co-Chair, Kurshida Mirza (photos below, with apologies to Craig Broadbent for neglecting to snap him).
Guests at the event included representatives from MK Community Foundation, who funded the training, MK Welfare Association and the University of Buckingham.
Assembly before or after the strike – inform students about likely costs and benefits of different types of action, e.g. strikes, petitions, relational power-building for negotiation with power-holders. Your Citizens:mk Community Organiser and leaders of member institutions can lead an assembly presentation.
Conversations– each student could have a one-to-one conversation with three other students – within or between year groups, indoors or outside – to discuss global warming. They could talk about:
Your global warming habits
what you do that contributes most to it?
what do you do that contributes most to reducing it?
what more would you like to do to reduce it?
Who has most power to reduce global warming?
who are the main power holders?
which of these are most accessible to you?
what can you do to help him/her/them?
Your family and friends
what’s the worst habit of someone you know
realistically, what could s/he do differently?
what would you say to them?
Survey Action – students could collect data to answer some or all of the questions below, and feed the results back to Citizens:mk who will collate the data from all MK schools and produce a report which you can present back to all participants:
Why are you taking part in this survey?
I care passionately about reducing global warming and feed driven to take action
I think it’s important and want to play my part
I like getting out of normal lessons
I didn’t want to take part, but was forced to.
If you think global warming is an importan issue, which power holders do you think have most power to reduce it (rank them 1-8 where 1=most powerful and 8=least powerful)
United Nations
UK government
Milton Keynes Council
My neighbourhood
My school
My family
Me
Other (please state).
For further information, or to express interest in taking part, contact Tom Bulman, Community Organiser, tel 07962 838685.
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 of short one-to-one conversations between people who voted opposite in the EU Referendum of 2016.
“We wanted to listen to each other,” said Fidele Mutwarisibo, Leader of Citizens:mk’s Fight Against Hate campaign, “and build relationships at a time of division and conflict.”
“It is so easy to live in an echo chamber and to not challenge our views,” said Cllr Walker. “We all have a responsibility to challenge our positions on Brexit, otherwise there will never be a consensus or a way forward.”
“It was useful to be able to hear from Leave voters because there are so many different views,” said Hilarie Bowman of MK Green Alliance. “and the press and TV are rather stereotypical.”
“As a Leave voter, it has been so important for me to have a safe space to debate opinions, challenge existing stereotypes and understand how we have similar views as well as different ones,” said Jennifer Parsons of MK Muslim Association. “Deep questions here have left me thinking more about the issues, motivating me to compromise and work toward our future.”
“Leave/Remain is closer to Labour/Tory than I had thought,” said Malcolm Harper.
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 birthday. Receiving the cake, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Keith Hetherington (pictured below) said: “The Open University is a social justice organisation. It is our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We are proud of our membership in Citizens:mk.”
Then Fidele Mutwarisibo of Cornerstone Church led a review of the progress of last year’s campaigns (Mental Health, Life Skills for Young People, House the Homeless and Fight Against Hate) and a minute of silence for the victims of recent hate atrocities around the world.
Alan Bainbridge of MK Quaker Meeting (pictured below left) organised attendees to send by text their ideas about ‘how can we reduce hatred and build a more caring and friendly society in MK’. While this was happening, Papa Huite of MK Congolese Community (pictured below right) sang a spiritual song.
Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, presented teenagers and adults with certificates for attending Community Leadership training (‘‘Anger to Action’ and Two-Day Training) and 9-year-old pupil councillor Zoya (pictured below), from Jubilee Wood Primary School, gave testimony of her own training experience of the One-Day Schools Training.
Zoya said: “I am proud to have attended the training and I learned a lot about refugees who are trying to escape problems in their country and how we can help them and make our country a safe haven.”
Headteacher Kate Mathews and Southwood Primary School pupils (pictured below) read a poem about their successful campaign to get their broken steps fixed.
Then this year’s campaign goals were presented:
Police & Primaries Together
Refugees Welcome
Fair Work.
Campaign 1: Police & Primaries Together
Led by headteachers Tony Berwick and Kate Matthews, pupils presented their survey findings and told stories about feeling safer with ‘Police and Primaries Together’ (pictured above). They called on Police Commander Yvette Hitch (pictured below) to pledge more police officer time visiting their schools, which she did. With her colleague Tim Metcalfe, she agreed to implement, monitor, evaluate and report on increased Police presence in Jubilee Wood and Southwood primary schools in Summer and Autumn Terms 2019.
Campaign 2: Refugees Welcome
Following an introduction to Refugees Welcome MK from Area Dean and Co-chair Tim Norwood, Zvi Friedman of MK & District Reform Synagogue (pictured below left) gave testimony of his family’s experiences as refugees nearly 100 years ago. Debbie Brock of MK Cenotaph Trust (pictured below right)outlined the formal process required for creation of a pillar at MK Rose to mark World Refugee Day.
Then Jess Maddocks of Citizens UK and Fred Grindrod of NASUWT teachers’ union awarded Refugee Welcome Schools certificates to three schools and MK College who have recently been accredited (Jubilee Wood, St. Paul’s Catholic School, MK College and Lord Grey School – pictured below). “This puts MK in the lead nationally,” said Jess Maddocks.
A Special Contribution award was made to Janan Abdulbake, headteacher of Al Ajyal Supplementary School (pictured below) for encouraging mainstream schools to achieve Refugees Welcome School accreditation.
Then students from St. Paul’s Catholic School (main picture at top) asked to the front the secondary headteachers of MK Academy, Walton High and The Radcliffe School (pictured below), who were asked and agreed that their school would pursue Refugee Welcome accreditation.
The final goal of Citizens:mk’s new Refugees Welcome campaign is to launch MK’s first Sponsor Refugees scheme, in which a community group raises £9,000, secures accommodation and commits to helping a newly arrived Syrian refugee family to settle in. Rev Gill Barrow-Jones (pictured below) of St. George’s Church, Wolverton, asked party leaders to pledge that MK Council would formally approve the launch of the scheme, as legally required.
Campaign 3: Fair Work
The ‘Fair Work’ campaign presentation began with Fr Francis Higgins of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church (pictured below) talking about how unfair employment practices are criticised in the Bible.
When campaign leader Hala Afify began speaking, she was dramatically interrupted by testimonies shouted from around the hall (pictured below left): “People on zero-hours contracts are more likely to be young, part-time and women”, “I had to change my name to Agnes as my Polish name was a barrier to me getting a job”, “I worked four years as a System Analyst on a zero hours contract and never knew if I was an employee or self-employed”.
Hala gave her own testimony and explained that law firm Dentons had helped to draft the new ‘Fair Work Charter‘ which local employers were to be asked to sign up to, starting with MK Council. Anna DeLiddo of The Open University (pictured above right) explained that she has been involved in a bid for a research grant to help the Fair Work campaign understand the impact of being fired by email.
It was then the turn of the leaders of MK’s main political parties (pictured below – Cllr Peter Marland (Labour), Cllr Alex Walker (Conservative) and Cllr Douglas McCall (Lib Dems) – to respond in turn to the three Asks.
The Asks were:
read and consider all the text messages gathered at this Assembly, circulate to other Councillors, discuss at full Council meeting, and report back to Leadership Group members within three months?
commit MK Council to formally approving a Community-led Sponsor Refugees scheme in Wolverton?
commit MK Council to Level one Fair Work Charter status, committing the Council to maintaining a fair job application process and talking with contracting agencies about fair transparency and termination processes as outlined in the Fair Work Charter?
All three party leaders agreed to all three asks above apart from Cllr Walker (pictured below)who said he couldn’t commit to Ask 3, but would discuss it further with Citizens:mk campaign leaders.
Cllr Douglas McCall (pictured below), pledged commitment to all of the Asks.
Special event: Weaving Trust Between Leave and Remain
Then a special event was announced, ‘Weaving Trust Between Leave and Remain’, intended to promote dialogue and trust between MK people who have opposing views on Brexit. Volunteers were asked to stand if they could commit to attending on 16th May and bringing to the event one person who voted differently to them in the EU Referendum. Nine people, including Cllr Walker, stood. Click here to sign up.
Finally the Assembly was informed by Rev Alison Webster, Deputy Director of Mission (Social Responsibility) for the Diocese of Oxford (pictured above), of plans to grow the Citizens:mk alliance and create the newest chapter of Citizens UK, Thames Valley Citizens.
In post-event evaluation, the Assembly was scored 8 out of 10 and participants in the evaluation pledged to help to double the turnout (to more than 300) at next year’s Accountability Assembly.
alliance of diverse community organisations acting together for a thriving, inclusive and fairer Milton Keynes
