Blessed are the organisers as they get us Organised – Revisiting the Berlin Convening!

 

In the past few days, I spent some quality time with organisers, activists, social thinkers, trainers and global change agents gathered from across the world in Berlin for the Porticus Move Gathering and Winter Academy.

As participants arrived in Berlin, they all came with their expectations and hopes. Anything they could learn? Anything they could share? Opportunity to engage? Build relationships and have some safe spaces?

It all started with a dinner reception at the heart of Berlin and sharing a mouth-watering food and laughter. Great choice of a restaurant that was so accommodative of preferences and life styles of folks.

As soon as the convening kicked off, there was a lot on the table and lots of food for thought and to process. Packed agenda. Lots to navigate through. It showed how much the team at the European Alternatives had done to deliver and excel. Braver Space and the due attention given to safeguarding is worth mentioning and commending. As someone who has been at many conferences, workshops, convenings, to see this level of attention for safety and care is encouraging. It is vital to step back and reflect on self-care and self-love as we navigate through this testing time.

As the conversations continued and sessions run, all I could see was participants’ hunger for change. For me, it was all about how we could channel our Anger to Hope and consequently to Action. It is all about our actions, not our words. Hence to see actions in place at the move gathering was gratifying. To practise what one preaches; to go beyond great words, and Walk the Talk is more than important; and that was what we saw in practice in Berlin.

This reminds me of a session I led on Organising Lived Experience and the reactions from Rikko Voorberg, from the World of Neighbours, on why he is doing what he is doing? As Rikko was sharing stories, I could see where he was coming from; where his convictions come from, why actions are important to him. That reminded me of James 2:14-16 in the bible:-

Faith and Deeds

 “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”

European Alternatives and through them Porticus have done a magnificent job in bringing folks together; and also sharing with one another. What we need now is to keep working on the learning and delivering on our purposes both as organisations and individuals. My organisation, Asylum Reform Initiative/Together with Refugees is working to deliver on its purpose and collaborate with allies.

If you want to see change, be the change you want to be and bring others on board through the process. Change is possible!

 

Community Organising as the work of Head, Heart and Hands!

Community Organising is needed today more than ever. Lots of pressing issues to work on in an organised and consistent way.  We need to do strategic analysis; have the right motivation and take actions. We need to have the heart to listen to the stories and connect; we need to have the head to do the analysis and have intellectual engagement; we need to have the hands to do the practical work, roll sleeves and get stuck.

Today, more than ever, people up and down our globe face difficult issues on a daily basis. They hear stories that are very concerning and demanding. Issues that need collective responses. Hence it is vital to do more and more Community Organising with concentration on distributed organising focusing on those mostly affected by the issues. Making sure those with lived experience of the issues we want to work on and address have meaningful and active participation in the decision making process.

Most recently I was able to join Marshall Ganz in central London along with colleagues from The Centre for Progressive Change. I found the engagement with Marshall very rewarding and fulfilling

Marshall is one of the leading voices and scholars of Community Organising with more than 6 decades of experience. What was interesting during our session was Marshall’s humility; his willingness to listen, engage and get us focused. Despite the hours we spent together, we didn’t want the session to end as there was always something new and engaging. He left us wanting more of his time. Marshall is now actively investing in the next generation and the generation after in Community Organising as the work of Head, Heart and Hands.  Marshall refers to the 3 core questions organisers ask.  

1.  Who are my people? 
2.  What is the change we need? 
3.  How can we turn our resources into the power we need to achieve that change? 

As we engage in Community Organising, we need to keep asking the above three questions. The people; the change needed and the power needed to effect the change. After all blessed are the organised!

Stories matter; Actions matter most!

We often hear stories of those who are fleeing their homes searching for protection and safety. Stories about those who often go through treacherous journeys. Stories of those often exploited and suffer from all forms of atrocities.

We also hear stories of those who are keen to roll their sleeves up, get organised and do what it takes to welcome and support. Stories of those who are keen to speak to their elected representatives in an organised way and find solutions.

Yes these stories matter and inspire us; they challenge us on a daily basis; stay with us for a while. What matters most is the choice we take. Action or Inaction? Our actions or Inactions determine the outcomes. Action is what helps us address our anger; our concerns; our frustrations; and the call to do the right thing at the right time.

Campaign Organising Network is a good platform to be part of and do what is right today. As part of the Together with Refugees initiative, the Campaign Organising Network is there to support local organisers, activists, campaigners and all those keen to engage in welcome and show the better side.

Glad to be part of this network and offer training and practical support. So good to see more than 100 people and groups joining the Campaign Organising Network most recently. Some have taken the Practical Organising Tools  and The Practical Campaigning Tools training that take place online. Many others have signed up or are signing up.

The call is as always clear. 'May every community, every neighbourhood, everyone capable to help do so and change the lives of those stuck in the system.'

You can join the Campaign Organising Network and work with amazing organisations including Freedom from Torture Asylum Reform Initiative and many others around the country.

In addition you could benefit from the training and see if Organising is for you. More info on the Campaign Organising Network could be found in the below link.

https://togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/campaign-organising-network/

Low Sick Pay Forces Thousands to Choose Between Health and Bills

 

 

On Friday 7th of February, campaigners called on Members of Parliament to strengthen United Kingdom’s sick pay system as 1.3 million people are at risk of lower Statutory Sick Pay across the country and face impossible choices between paying bills, delaying medical treatment, or risking worsening mental health due to inadequate statutory sick pay. The campaigners working with the Centre for Progressive Change are urging the Government to back crucial amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, which is expected to reach the Report Stage on or around 24th February. 

The proposed amendments would:

● Increase statutory sick pay to at least 80% of the National Living Wage, phased in over five years.

● Remove the Lower Earnings Limit, extending eligibility to ensure that 1.3 million currently excluded employees receive support.

● Establish a higher replacement rate of at least 80% of income for low-paid workers, providing an adequate safety net during illness. 

To raise awareness and build public support, campaigners have called on MPs to back these vital reforms. 

It was great to be in West Midlands, mainly in Birmingham and Smethwick to speak to organisations and individuals who are supportive of the Safe Sick Pay campaign and working together as part of the Day of Action featuring the delivery of ‘Get Well Soon’ cards to MPs; as well as coordinated letter-writing campaigns and social media outreach by local members and organisations. 

At £116.75 per week, the UK’s sick pay rate is among the lowest in industrialised nations. Although set to rise by just £2 in April 2025, analysis by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University highlights the stark reality: a full-time worker, cohabiting with a partner on an average UK salary, would still lose £419 in net income for each week of illness — placing them below the minimum acceptable standard of living.

Campaigners stress that without urgent reform, millions of workers will remain vulnerable to financial hardship when they fall ill. They are urging MPs to act now to ensure that no worker is forced to choose between their health and making ends meet.

Amanda Walters, Director of the Centre for Progressive Change, said: “Far too many workers are forced to push through illness because they can’t afford to take time off to recover. This isn’t sustainable. We’re calling on MPs to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by the Employment Rights Bill to reform our broken sick pay system and provide workers with the support they need.” 

Workers on low sick pay often face devastating choices. Recent research by Citizens Advice found that full-time employees are at the highest risk of being unable to cover essential costs after prolonged illness. 

Clare, a cancer patient, explained: “I had to make a choice — try to survive on a sum that barely covered my council tax, let alone my mortgage and bills, or combine work with an intense treatment schedule. I used up my annual leave and put my recovery at serious risk.”

Roxana Khan-Williams, Head of Campaigns at Organise — “The UK’s statutory sick pay system is failing workers when they need it most. At just £116.75 a week, it falls far short of covering basic living costs, forcing many to choose between their health and income. Workers are going hungry, skipping rent, or returning to work sick because they can’t survive on such a low amount. One warehouse worker told us they pushed through illness, risking their health and their colleagues, just to keep the lights on. A care worker shared how they had to rely on food banks after catching the flu. These stories are not exceptions; they are the reality for millions.”

About the Safe Sick Pay campaign:

The Safe Sick Pay campaign is a coalition of organisations and individuals advocating for reform to the UK’s sick pay regime. The coalition believes that safe workplaces are essential for recovery and that workers should never have to choose between health and financial stability. The campaign is coordinated by the Centre for Progressive Change. 

About the Employment Rights Bill:

As of 27th January 2025, the Employment Rights Bill is progressing through the UK Parliament. Introduced on 10th October 2024, it has completed the Public Bill Committee stage and is expected to reach the Report Stage on 24th February.

You can take action by writing to your MP. Click HERE to write to them.

The importance of small wins - Tiny changes, remarkable values!

 

Reflecting on the book I once read, Atomic Habits, and also reflecting on my long Community Organising life, the importance of small wins should not be taken lightly. Going for small wins;  celebrating those small wins; and using those small wins as spring board to gain added impetus to do more is vital to win big.

We often want to see a big change all at once and focus only on big things. How about developing a habit of going for small wins every now and then and seeing the compound effect through the process? Our habits are dependent on us. They could be for us or against us. What is important is to make them for us and make them consistently for us.

‘The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us; whereas the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time.’- excerpts from Atomic Habits