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 Citizens UK, the national home of community organising, which brings together over 350 diverse civil society institutions including churches, mosques, synagogues, schools, universities and community groups, has launched its response to the snap general election.

Citizens UK is calling on political candidates to engage with civil society in their constituencies and pledge to build a relationship to work together for the common good with an aim to make Britain a more just, inclusive and welcoming country by 2022.

Local leaders from the community organising movement will be meeting with prospective parliamentary candidates in at least 100 constituencies across England and Wales. Citizens UK leaders will be organising private meetings with PPC’s, hosting round-tables and Citizens Assemblies as part of their strategy to develop lasting and useful working relationships with politicians.

Supporting people to be involved and engaged with the democratic process is a core element of Citizens UK’s work. Its Community Organisers are also training 195 leaders in 13 educational institutions, with a target of reaching 16,700 people, explaining the voting process to young people and encourage them to register to vote in the 2017 General Election.

Revd Tim Norwood, co-chair, Citizens UK Council said: “Whilst the snap election may have taken us by surprise, as civil society leaders we see this as a great opportunity to build relationships with those people looking to represent us and our communities.

 “We want to work together with politicians to create a more just, inclusive and welcoming country; and that can only happen if we engage with the political process.

 “Citizens UK brings together people of different ages, ethnicities, those of faith and no-faith; and by listening to each other we find the common issues that unite us. Civil society institutions have more power when they join forces. We’re looking forward to meeting hundreds of prospective parliamentary candidates over the next few weeks.”

Sister Ita Keane, Director and Sister of Mercy at St. Mary's Convent in Birmingham, said: "St Mary's Convent is the home of community organising in Birmingham. Together with other diverse communities we have worked hard to increase local people's participation in democracy & voting. Being involved in the Citizens UK general election effort is one important way of practising Catholic Social Teaching."