A message from Groundswell Project Team
Dear friends
We hope all our readers are continuing to feel safe and are not being affected by the tensions that have been reported around the country over recent weeks. These events only reinforce our resolve and highlight the importance of our work - whether that is training on counter hate and online dangers, or 'on the ground' work to build greater community connectivity and localised cohesion.
In this month's newsletter, we focus on the response to some of the unrest we've seen that our Community Connector in Manchester has been spearheading, as well as focusing on some really positive events that have been happening around our other areas of focus in Lewisham, Glasgow and Luton.
Stay strong, and we look forward to continuing to work and engage with you over the coming weeks.
With our love, Hadiya and the Groundswell Team
It's time for talk in Manchester
Following the unrest in many parts of the country and the genuine concern and vulnerability that people in some communities are feeling, our Community Connector in Manchester - Angela - has launched 'Talk Time'.
The sessions, which began last week, are an opportunity for groups to connect, come together and hear from community leaders. The talks and discussions will focus on how jointly groups can build resilience, and counter hate and extremism, while asking the question 'what does this mean for our communities?'.
Following the first event on 28 August, Angela is now planning to turn these into a series of events. Email angela@groundswell.world for more information.
Taking Pride in South East London
Our Lewisham Community Connector, Soxie, was one of the driving forces behind this year's South East London Pride, held on Sunday 17 August.
The event attracted more than 400 people and was supported by a range of local community and LGBTQ+ groups.
Soxie helped to connect and amplify the work of the organisers on what was a fun day with the sun shining. Well done Soxie!
International Day of Peace is coming - join us
The International Day of Peace is almost here, so we bring to you a message from our founder, Hadiya:
"The wars taking place in the Middle East Ukraine, parts of Africa and elsewhere in the world are not just physically taking place, but are in every human mind, body and soul. We all suffer as a result - when one part of humanity aches so does the rest.
"There has been no break for humanity since the pandemic, it's just like our governments and leaders have not learned lessons. If you consider yourself a conscious, awakened, enlightened, aware or spiritual individual, we invite you to share your thoughts and ideas on how we can come together on 25 September - the International Day of Peace."
Send any contributions to info@groundswell.world. And watch our video for International Day of Peace last year, by clicking on the image.
Book next Parents for Change course in Luton
Our next free safeguarding course is open for bookings in Luton.
The popular Parents for Change series of events helps to equip parents with the knowledge they need to protect their children from online dangers - ever more important in the wake of programmes like Netflix's Adolescence.
The courses cover a range of topics from online safety to video games, conspiracy theories, hate crime and loneliness.
The sessions take place on 10 and 17 September at Newland Church in Crawley Green Road. Email leela@groundswell.world to register your interest and find out more.
(Pictured are some of the graduates at our recent Parents for Change course in Leicester).
Tackling health inequalities at sauna event
We were delighted to be able to partner with several organisations including Community Sauna Baths in Hackney Wick to support their first ever community sauna takeover for People of Colour.
More than 100 people attended the evening on Tuesday 19 August, where relaxation was the order of the day, alongside music, refreshments and networking, in a laid back, inclusive environment.
Thanks to other collaborators Dusty Knuckle, CnD Drinks and Moonji for their support.
Email sokhara@groundswell.world to register your interest in future similar events.
Building financial freedom across the world
Groundswell has long believed in the power of Bitcoin to be able to help deliver greater financial freedom to communities in developing countries, and now we are making practical moves to enhance life chances.
We were delighted to host our first online session in Kenya in August, jointly with one of our trustees Hanan Ibrahim MBE, where we taught a number of women how they can use the power of Bitcoin to empower themselves and see a future that can lift them and their children out of poverty.
To find out more about our work to deliver financial freedom in the developing world, read this page on our website.
Jointly celebrating Indian and Pakistani independence
A big part of our work at Groundswell is about connecting groups in the communities where we work to sow hope and peace where there could be division.
We are really grateful to our Glasgow Community Connector, Adeel, for the work he did recently to help put on an event to jointly celebrate both India's and Pakistan's independence days.
It was an opportunity for members of both communities to come together in a spirit of unity, friendship and cultural pride.
Well done to Adeel - and thanks to everyone who attended this amazing gathering.
Don't forget our mapper app
Don't forget that our Kindness Mapper is now available on a new web platform and we have also made it available as an app via the App Store and Google Play Store.
As well as finding out what's happening in your local area, there's a brand new feature that allows you to donate to organisations you support.
Lots of feedback we've received over the years has been that people would find our mapper easier to use in app form, so we are really excited to finally make that a reality. Find out more about the map here. Download for iPhone here and on Google Play here.
