Community organising is at the heart of what we do at Citizens UK - and there has never been a more important time for us to support each other than now. 

Following the outbreak, we ran a rapid listening campaign to identify the main concerns that local communities are facing in this unexpected new era of social distancing. While the pandemic has continued to highlight many injustices that vulnerable people face, our alliances have been showing undivided love and support for communities across the country.

You can read more on how we're responding to the Covid-19 crisis and keep up to date with our campaigns by signing up below. 

Campaigns

No child left hungry during Covid-19

There are 1.3 million schoolchildren that rely on free school meals. During Covid-19, schools have had to close which has left millions of children without lunch that they would normally get at school.

While the government have announced a national voucher scheme and some welcome provisions, we still need to do more.

A real Living Wage in the social care sector

Thousands of workers have been stepping into danger every single day to care for the most vulnerable in our society. Nearly half are paid the minimum wage. What they need now is for all of us to support them so they can survive on the wages they earn looking after those we love.

It is vital social care gets proper funding from the government so jobs can be paid at the real Living Wage and both residents and workers can live in dignity.

Sign our petition to ask your MP to care for care workers.

Covid-19 community response fund

Across the country our organisations are working hard to support the hundreds of thousands of people who are impacted by the Covid-19 crisis: from schools keeping canteens open to feed hungry families, to faith groups delivering to neighbours in quarantine.

Our community response fund has been set up to help our chapters and members to practically support vulnerable communities hit hardest by the Covid-19 crisis. You can give to this vital fund here.

Webinars

A real sense of unpreparedness around digital technology emerged with community leaders when we launched our listening campaign. To empower our members, we are delivering weekly Zoom sessions on organising during Covid-19.

Find out more about upcoming webinars and how to sign-up:

• Organising in civil society during Covid-19
• Organising schools in Covid-19

Leader blogs and reflections

Our leaders have been writing powerful blogs and reflections on how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected them, their institutions and communities. 

Some recent blogs include:

• Ana María Ramírez, a collaborator from Empoderando Padres, writes on how the Covid-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the lack of online access for London's Latin American community. 
• Helen Jarvis, a leader in Tyne and Wear, writes on the importance of language during Covid-19.
• Parents and Communities Together (PACT) have been writing and vlogging their experiences in lockdown with kids, including running a family food club online.

Read more blogs and reflections from leaders across the country about how Covid-19 has affected their communities. 

Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, to keep up-to-date with the vital work our alliances are doing during this crisis.