Supporting Local Initiatives project

Applications for support from the Supporting Local Initiatives pilot project closed at the end of June, and the selection committee did their work mid July. Four projects have been selected for collaborative support from Friends House, coordinated by Lucy Roberts of QPSW, over the coming two years, and they are;

Liverpool LM Outreach Project

This meeting has a fabulous meeting house in the vibrant centre of Liverpool already used for meetings, gatherings, cafe and offices, however, Liverpool LM want to use its meeting house as a principal resource in its outreach and to develop networks and other outreach activities, to enable it to more fully witness through action and to raise awareness of Quakerism. Meeting members also want to work collaboratively with other religious representatives in the city centre to offer support to the urban community. They have newly appointed an Engagement and Development Officer to lead the project, and have asked for support from Friend’s House to help develop the strategy and design of activities, and to assist and provide guidance in the meeting's efforts.

Manchester and Warrington Social Justice Group

This active group has a concern which was clarified by the Zero Growth Economy conference in 2009, and has developed into a project concept over the past 12 months. The group want to raise awareness amongst Friends and the wider public of the injustice and inequality of our current economic system and pressurize the government to undertake equality-promoting reforms. From Friends House, the Social Justice Group is keen to receive support in project planning, media or communications strategy and lobbying at local and national levels.

RESET (Prisoner Resettlement Project)

RESET, already an established project which evolved from a concern of the Maidstone LM, has been contracted by Kent Probation Trust to implement a new 9 month programme, ‘Through the Gate’, providing wrap-around support to people released from prison and at risk of reoffending.  Friends House staff will be working with a small team of RESET volunteers to help them develop and implement a communications and fundraising strategy, aimed at building strong relationships with stakeholders who can help to sustain the programme beyond March 2011, when its present funding ceases.

Quaker Bolivia Link – UK

Another well established project: Quaker Bolivia Link wants to develop a new educational focus to the work it already carries out, that of raising awareness, especially amongst younger people, of social justice and equity issues within the international development field. The group particularly wants to raise awareness about climate change in this context and also to raise funds for their Quaker partners in La Paz, Bolivia who support rural Aymara communities on the Altiplano.  The support currently sought from Friends House is for development of fundraising and communications strategies, lobbying, outreach and also human resources information.

Meetings with the group’s representatives shall provide an opportunity to analyse the projects and ensure the correct support is being identified to meet the needs and achieve the aims. Once this is established, the most appropriate person from Friends House will be identified for each aspect of the work, and a work plan, or calendar of support will be established.