Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Citizens UK launched a rapid listening campaign across its 450 member organisations, to identify the main concerns that local communities are facing in this unexpected new era of social distancing. Across UK regions and faith communities, a real sense of unpreparedness around digital technology emerged with community leaders attempting to teach themselves in a matter of just a few days how to live stream or host video calls in a bid both to meet the practical needs of their congregations and parishes – such as arranging phone calls for those who are isolated and food deliveries for the elderly – while also switching to online forms of worship as all three Abrahamic faiths prepared to mark Passover, Easter and Ramadan respectively.
Our response
During the lockdown Citizens UK ran a weekly ‘Organising Civil Society in Covid-19’ session online. Hundreds of leaders participated from every chapter across Citizens UK, sharing experiences and learning on Covid-related issues such as bereavement and grief, volunteer training, and staying relational, as well as encouraging action on issues such as the Living Wage for Careworkers, mental health and Black Lives Matter.
Learning for Autumn 2020 and beyond
The feedback on those Thursday afternoon sessions was really positive, and so as we face the prospect of a difficult winter and a continuation of restrictions on all our lives, Citizens UK has decided to fomalise ‘Learning Thursdays’ to ensure that you continue to gain skills in community leadership that will help you and your organisation. Every Thursday afternoon from 16:00-17:15 we will offer a free learning opportunity. Click here to read more about the schedule and how to register.
Our 'Organising Civil Society in Covid-19' webinar series:
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2nd April - Faith, Coronavirus and Technology
Joined by global experts in faith and digital technology from Facebook after a huge survey by Citizens UK of faith and community organisations laid bare the need for adaptation and digital skills sharing amongst institutions.
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16th April - Developing Community Leaders in COVID-19 Equip community leaders to organise and mobilise volunteers to help serve the wider community in COVID-19 – exploring best practice in relation to safeguarding, connecting with local statutory agencies, and leader support and development.
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23rd April - Helping Communities to Deal with the Mental Health Crisis in COVID-19 Training webinar by experts to give us the support we need to act as Mental Health Champions in our communities.
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30th April - Communities Taking Action for Social Justice in COVID-19 Training webinar to enable leaders to run local community organising campaigns to protect the poor and the marginalised – especially those most affected by the Lockdown
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7th May - Organising Hard Money in our Citizens Alliances Training webinar aimed at leaders from CUK institutions and Leadership Teams on the importance of 'hard' money and membership dues.
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14th May - Staying Relational - 1-2-1s and Listening in Lockdown Training webinar aimed at faith and community leaders on how to maintain a 'relational' culture and keep listening when we can't meet face-to-face.
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21st May - Organising schools during COVID-19 Training webinar aimed at leaders from the education sector, whether schools, colleges, universities or educational charities.
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28th May - Filling the Covid-shaped Hole in Your Organisation's Budget: How to Use Community Organising Techniques to Raise Money Training webinar aimed at faith and community leaders on how to use community organising techniques to raise money for their institution
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11th June - Summer Podcast Club - Changemakers: This is a Big Moment
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18th June - Learning From Lockdown: What faith communities have learned about congregational life in COVID-19
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25th June - Become a Community Sponsor and Welcome a Stranger: Apply Now to Resettle a Refugee Family in 2021
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16th July - The impact of Covid-19 on Women