The following statement was issued by MK Interfaith, Citizens MK and the MK Council of Faiths:
The people of the UK have voted to leave the EU. Whatever our views about the decision we must now unite to strengthen generosity, hospitality and compassion in our city. Let us cherish our differences as well as what we have in common.
We know that amongst neighbours, friends and colleagues, especially those from overseas, there may be a sense of insecurity.
At this time we stand together to speak out against racism and other forms of prejudice.
We also recommit ourselves to work together for the good of all people in our city, regardless of their origins.
On May 17th, CitizensMK member institution, Q:alliance will be hosting a celebration to mark the annual International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. There will be a short ceremony at the MK Rose in Campbell Park at 1pm, followed by refreshments at the Milton Keynes Gallery Project Space.
Despite tremendous advancements over last 15 years in the UK, prejudice continues to be a serious issue at home and abroad. Although steadily declining, homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic violence and discrimination continues to make headlines in the UK.
CitizensMK works to bring together the diverse communities of Milton Keynes to work together for a better MK. Our Weaving Trust campaign has been focussed particularly on bringing ordinary people together to meet each other as neighbours in our city. We are delighted the Q:Alliance are a member of CitizensMK and are keen to create more understanding and tolerance.
We are organising a massive Weaving Trust event to mark the 50th Anniversary of Milton Keynes. Our goal is to bring at least 50 organisations together for this event. More than 30 groups have already pledged to come. Sign up today and come to this exciting event!
On the 1st of April IKEA introduced the Living Wage for all its co-workers. In the Milton Keynes Store. Staff were also treated to a celebration Living Wage breakfast and a box of goodies.
Tanya Hamilton, HR Manager of the MK store said “I am very proud of IKEA for paying the Living Wage. I am really looking forward, together with my team, to exploring the relationship with Citizens MK and the Living Wage team.”
Thames Valley Police hosted a Weaving Trust event in CMK on Monday 7th December. Fourteen officers, staff and volunteers met a similar group from various Citizens:mk communities.
The Police talked about their work and how they spend their time. Although they have a lot of paperwork to contend with, they expressed a strong sense of public service and a desire to make MK a better place.
Both Police officers and visitors enjoyed the event, and a few new links were made. It was a great event in our growing campaign.
The MK Dons have become an important part of our local community. Citizens of Milton Keynes have really taken the team to their hearts, and the successes (and occasional failures) of the Dons matter to thousands of people. The MK Dons Sports and Education Trust does a lot of exciting work across the borough, so it was really good to hold a Weaving Trust Event with them at Stadium MK.
Young people from Brooklands Farm Primary School and MK Academy joined people from other Citizens:mk communities at this event. There were lots of questions and excited conversations. By the end of the event a lot of new friendships had been made and the visitors had learned a lot about their local team and the many things that take place in the stadium.
Weaving Trust is all about building up the links that hold us together as a community. The MK Dons have done a lot to help develop a sense of community in Milton Keynes, so it was really good for the Dons SET and Citizens:mk to be working together.
There were a few thoughts about future Weaving Trust events at Stadium MK, so we may be back…
Water Eaton was once a tiny hamlet on the edge of Bletchley, but a lot has changed since then. There were people at our Weaving Trust event who remembered the days when only a couple of buses passed through each week and the nearest hospital was in Aylesbury! They reminded us that much of the change has been a good thing – and that local people have shaped their community by working together. The church in Water Eaton would not have been built if local people hadn’t raised the money needed to buy the land…
At this Weaving Trust event we looked back but also looked forward. New relationships were formed as people from different cultures, faiths and backgrounds shared their experiences of life in MK. Amazing people met each other – and made plans to do more together. Weaving Trust may seem like a small thing but it makes a big difference.
alliance of diverse community organisations acting together for a thriving, inclusive and fairer Milton Keynes
