As part of its mission to strengthen democracy and civil society in general, Citizens Milton Keynes gathered a number of civic leaders to encourage them to work together and further build the alliance of civic institutions across the city.
The organisation, which has chapters nationwide including in Reading and Oxford, brings together people to create an alliance of civic organisations. A roundtable held recently in Milton Keynes brought together current members, including Bishop Dave, and representatives from the YMCA, Open University and St Frideswide’s Church in Bletchley.
The Milton Keynes alliance is being supported by Nudrat Hopper, who works as community organiser.
She said: “It is really encouraging when civic leaders become aware of the work that other leaders do and have the desire to work together, having the imagination and the courage to step out. If we work together there will be the resources to look up and work toward changing things to be different than they are now.
“Civil society can feel powerless, that we’re not able to effect change but we are powerful if we get together, collaborate and influence the decision makers.”
Citizens Milton Keynes aims to draw people together and then begin an internal listening campaign, to understand deeply the issues that affect ordinary people. Following that, a city-wide listening campaign will begin to hear the voices across the city.
Nudrat added: “This is an opportunity for us to step in to lead in a way that is different to the way the world leads. We acknowledge there is injustice in the world; now we need to move from the world as it is, to the world as it should be by working for the common good.
“There comes a time when we have got to say am I happy just putting a plaster on the cut or should I explore why are people getting hurt in the first place, what is it that is causing this injury?
“There is leadership needed and the Church can step into that and take its rightful place around that table.”
Hannah Ling, social justice adviser at the diocese, supports community organising like Citizens Milton Keynes.
She said: “At a time of social tensions and rising inequalities, Citizens MK are bringing people together across difference and inviting local people to be an active part of creating their future. I’m delighted that St Frideswide’s Church are a key member of this, putting their faith into action and seeking the flourishing of all in MK.”
Find out about social justice work in the diocese.