UK Peaceworker Placements
The UK peace movement is resilient and diverse, but under-re-sourced. Large numbers of people would love the opportunity to work for a national peace organisation and organisations would love to have them.
The Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) 1-year Peaceworker scheme offers a highly popular annual opportunity for peace organisations to bid for a worker, and individuals to apply for a range of full-time peace placements. As a key player in the UK peace movement, QPSW recruits and places Peaceworkers for a year at a national peace organisation. This helps to bring on the next generation of peaceworkers, enhance the work of like-minded organisations and strengthen the relationships between everyone involved.
Our placements
In collaboration with Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, QPSW offers four opportunities each year. We advertise in March, recruit in May and, after a 2-week preparation period in August, start the placement year in September.
By placing a Peaceworker with a selected organisation for a year, we aim to enhance the organisation's capacity, and provide the Peaceworker with a valuable opportunity to begin their vocation for peace work. Our decades-long experience of making such placements means we have good relationships with many organisations and highly developed systems to manage and support the worker effectively throughout the year.
Sarah Hulme, Peaceworker 2008/9, working with Year 3 pupils at St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace
What does a placement achieve?
The placement can significantly expand the capacity of the receiving organisation for the year, enabling a project to be completed, strategic development and change to be considered.
It strengthens links between QPSW and the organisation. Sometimes two organisations have shared a Peaceworker, and this too helps to strengthen organisational relationships.
It offers a unique paid opportunity for someone who has a calling for peace work to gain experience by working for a national peace organisation.
“My time as a Peaceworker has been incredible – both the good times and the bad … I feel stronger, moreconfident and readier to face the big wide world … an invaluable gift.”
Jessica Pasteiner, Corporate Watch
Candia Crosfield, Peaceworker 2008/9, with school students working on a Forum Theatre exploration of their experiences of violence.
Some examples of peaceworker contributions
Selina Larsen played a key role in Campaign Against Arms Trade’s major campaign on the UK government’s active support for the arms trade.
Dave Cullen was placed with Campaign Against Depleted Uranium and was involved in all aspects of the campaign in the UK. His rigorous research provided the basis for his persuasive presentation to Members of the Scottish Parliament, many of whom supported a motion calling for the banning of these toxic weapons.
Candia Crosfield is working at Peace Child International, an organisation whose mission is empowering young people to help them be the change they want to see in the world.
Sarah Hulme is based at St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. She is developing a Youth Refusing Violence programme there.
“The adjective that most regularly finds its way onto my tongue when I’m describing my work to others is ‘exciting’.”
Dave Cullen, Campaign Against Depleted Uranium
“It’s been a really fantastic experience. The Peaceworker scheme is really great. Placing someone in a real organization, warts and all is very valuable.”
International Alert
Get involved
Support this work with a donation for one year peaceworkers.
Read the Journal Letters of all the Peaceworkers on the website: www.quaker.org.uk/jl
Support this work with a donation
Contact
Steve Whiting
QPSW, Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
020 7663 1064
Quaker Peace & Social Witness works with, and on behalf of, the Religious Society of Friends in Britain to translate our faith into action. As Quakers we are impelled by our faith to make our lives an active witness for peace and justice. Our historic testimonies to equality, justice, peace, simplicity and truth challenge us to alleviate suffering and seek positive social change.
The one-year Peaceworker (Britain) placements are a joint initiative of QPSW and the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
June 2009