Looking back at a decade of Encouraging Action for Peace, and to exciting changes starting in January 2025.
A big thank you
This month (November 2024) marks 10 years since Peace Hub first opened our doors to the public. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey over the past decade – our volunteers, management committee members, regular visitors, staff from Peacemakers, Priory Rooms and Central England Quakers, and out partner organisations. And indeed thank you to everyone who has popped in for a chat about peace and social justice, and to take action – you’ve all been part of building a community that cares.
The umbrella of peace and social justice is broad, and themes we’ve covered range from the arms trade (our first and last theme in our old model of working) to climate justice, economic equality and peace in our community, to solidarity with refugees, conscientious objectors and human rights defenders. Actions you’ve taken part in include writing to those in power, sending messages of solidarity, and joining protests and public witness. At the heart of it all is building connection – with each other, our communities, in solidarity and across divides.
Future priorities and new ways of working
Reflecting on our journey so far, using an appreciative enquiry model, our Management Committee have identified three priorities for the Peace Hub project:
- Working with & supporting other groups committed to peace & social justice, through outreach, inreach & networking;
- Organising peace events & activities that build on this partnership work;
- Taking people on a journey from passive to active in this peace work.
These priorities represent the best of what we have done since 2014, and where the greatest potential for growth lies. For the past decade we have created a space for people to come to us; from 2025 we will be making greater efforts to meet Birmingham’s communities where you are. Look out for events – online, in central Brum, and around the city – where you can explore what peace and social justice means, and how you can take action.
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We have been reflecting on our current partnership working and drawing out threads of connecting with communities, listening to people’s concerns and ideas for local action, and helping to connect that with the bigger picture of national and global issues. If you’re part of an organisation (whatever size) and would like to explore how we can work together, please get in touch.
Laying down the drop-in model
While we are excited for the possibilities these changes bring, we recognise that they are not compatible with the current drop-in model for the Peace Hub. In order to facilitate the work that we have identified as most valuable, we aim to lay down the drop-in model (i.e. close the Hub to the public) at the end of the year.
Thursday 19th December 2024 will be the final drop-in day at Peace Hub.
This is a big change, and we will miss our small but dedicated group of regular visitors. However, we hope to see you again soon at our events, and our coordinator will be available for meetings (online or in-person) to discuss peace & social justice issues – so feel free to get in touch to carry on the conversations we’ve started.
Our Coordinator, and our sister project Peacemakers will continue to be based at 41 Bull St for 2025. Central England Quakers are considering how to make best use of the building in the long-term.
10th anniversary celebration
Although the Hub opened our doors in November 2014, our ‘official launch’ event happened in February 2015. So, to celebrate all that we’ve done together over the past 10 years, and ‘officially relaunch’ our new model of working, we’ll be holding a celebratory event on 26th February 2025 – save the date, more details coming soon.
It’s been a wonderful decade of action for peace, and we look forward to working with you all, continuing to build a community that cares for many years to come.