We enjoyed a very successful afternoon at the first ever Citizens UK Weaving Trust event in Lancashire last week!

The event, held at 53 degrees, was a fantastic way to get people having meaningful discussions and building collective power by strengthening relationships across our membership and wider community.

Over 100 conversations took place in the two-hour session, as 53 participants (yes - 53 in 53) moved around a circle of chairs, finding common ground, discovering new perspectives and began to build the relationships that make collective action possible!

Identity and inclusion coordinator, and co-chair of the event, Luke Fitzgerald was thrilled with how the day went.

He said: "It was incredible to see so many students building relationships with people from the wider community. What a great way to spend an afternoon.”

The discussions were prompted by open questions surrounding communities, which is heavily linked to our ‘New Era’ campaign.

The event was a clear example of community organising which involves students coming together and using their voice to make change. It involves the five-step plan (organise, listen, plan, act and negotiate) that drive ideas to action and change.

Students’ Union representative Avery Greatorex drew parallels from the values the event discussed, to ones she is implementing at the university as part of the new scheme.

She said: “I found so many people today from international backgrounds, from faith backgrounds, and these are groups we commonly work with at the union.

“We want to bring these communities together, so it was nice to hear some new perspectives and priorities.

“We heard what people are facing so we can campaign and work on those things.”

The participants left their thoughts at the end with evaluations such as “optimistic”, “human” and “inspired” being deposited in the feedback box. Thank you to everyone who took part and contributed to such a positive atmosphere.

Another Weaving Trust event will be held in February.