Powered By People Toolkit

7/30/2019 Powered By People Toolkit

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Faced with huge economic and social changes,there is a greater need than ever for communitiesacross the UK to assert their rights andreclaim power.

And as traditional democracy faces everdecreasing levels of engagement, ordinarypeople are keen to find alternative ways to

make a difference.

This is where the Powered by People UK networkcomes in.

These stories from across the network illustrate how

community organising is being used to make

significant changes to our towns, neighbourhoods

and streets. Our members have overcome political

barriers, found funding and changed perceptions.

Why Powered by People UK?

They have successfully worked on a huge number of

issues, including housing, extremism, education,

mental health, and debt.

The fact that many come from poor and

marginalised communities makes their achievements

all the more impressive. Church Action on Poverty

and the Powered by People UK network brings

together these organisations, and their enormous

expertise, into one, unified network.

If you want to bring about change on practical issues

of justice, and are prepared to work in a disciplined

way with others, Powered by People UK can help.

By coming together under one banner, our collective

knowledge can now also be used to tackle issues of

national significance.

We hope that by community organising together

in a way which is free from party-political, religious

or ideological barriers Powered by People UK will

also become a tool for integration, understanding,

and truly sustainable change.

Mark Waters, Coordinator, Powered by PeopleUK, November 2012

Mark Waters, Coordinator, Powered by People UK

I thought I was voiceless.And I felt disempowered. Sowhen I met Thrive it reallymade a difference. Now I cantake anything. I feel sostrong, so, so strong.

Kudzai Rusere, Founder of DASUK,Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough

What does Powered by People UK offer?

Powered by People UK is supported and

facilitated by Church Action on Poverty (CAP).

The network offers a range of support for you

to develop community organising in your area.

This includes a variety of training opportunities,

including peer mentoring, and five, two, and

half-day leadership training sessions.

Church Action on Poverty also run a six to 12-week

congregational development programme.

For more information about any aspect ofPowered by People UK, call CoordinatorMark Waters on 0161 226 9321, oremail [email protected]


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What is CommunityOrganising?

Community organising harnesses peoples energyto negotiate with power structures to createsolutions to issues faced by communities.

It is used mainly although not exclusively by

marginalised, poor and disadvantaged groups to

reclaim power back from the institutions which

make the decisions that impact on their lives.

One key aspect of community organising is that it is

non party-political, and brings diverse groups of

people together to work as one.

It enables groups to

work towards a specific

goal, rather than a set of

defined ideals.

Community organising

originated in the US,

and was pioneered by

Saul Alinsky. He

organised the Back ofthe Yards industrial slum

neighbourhood of

Chicago in the 1940s,

successfully working to

improve housing and

working conditions for

those living there.

Greg Galuzzo, of the US-based Gamaliel Foundation,trained Barack Obama in community organising.He now supports the training of communityorganisers across the UK

I would say to communityorganisers; try a gentleapproach first. Its worthdoing creative approaches.Be tenacious.

Graham Clarke, Chief Executive, Buy As You View

Community knows whatcommunity needs. Too often

with policy-makers, theyhave no clue about howpeople live, think, eat, andsleep. So how can they makea decision or policy thataffects peoples lives?

Jackie Burton, the Three As, Manchester

Alinskys techniques have since been replicated

across the US by various organisations, including theGamaliel Foundation.

Barack Obama famously worked as a community

organiser with Gamaliel in the deprived areas of

inner-city Chicago before embarking on his legal

career, a period of time he credits with giving him

the skills to become a successful politician.

Community organisingtraining inStockton-on-Tees,Middlesbrough


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TCC (TOGETHER CREATING COMMUNITIES, ORTREFNU CYMUNEDOL CYMRU), NORTH EAST WALES

Night ShelterWhen rough sleepers started bedding down in their

church grounds, the congregation at Capel y Groes

vowed to help and fought for three years to create

a local night shelter

A New MosqueAfter 20 years of worshipping in portakabins and

above kebab shops, Wrexhams Muslim community

finally found the right building, overcoming bitter

opposition on the way

BIRMINGHAM CITIZENS

iCircle Youth Group

By using dialogue to encourage integration andtackle extremism amongst Birmingham's young

Muslims, the iCircle hopes to create a more united

and genuinely diverse city

Sajida MadniBirmingham Citizens Chief Executive explains why

she thinks community organising is the most

powerful way to create change

THRIVE TEESSIDE

High-interest LendingA group of ordinary women, sick of struggling

with debt, have secured a huge consumer victory

against the multi-million pound high interest, hire

purchase industry

Asylum Seeker HousingAsylum seekers are fighting an ongoing battle to

improve their housing conditions, be treated with

dignity, and find their voice

THRIVE GREATER MANCHESTER

School Exclusions

African-caribbean boys who are expelled are eighttimes more likely to end up in prison, dead, or in a

gang. The Three As group tackles unfair exclusions

and helps children stay in school

Mental HealthCarers of those with addictions and mental health

problems were facing unbearable stress; they are

finally demanding better support for them and their

loved ones

Contents

What is Powered by People UK?

Powered by People UK is a network of four organisations from across thecountry Together Creating Communities in North East Wales;Birmingham Citizens; Thrive Greater Manchester; and Thrive Teesside all of which work with a community organising approach.


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The Wrexham Mosque entrance, below thedistinctive Mine Workers Institute sign

TCC stands for Trefnu Cymunedol Cymru(Wales Community Organising), or TogetherCreating Communities. Based in Wrexham, TCC isthe first community organising group to cover arural area, and is active across the counties ofWrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire.

First established in 1995, with just seven member

groups, it has since grown to include almost 40

members. They include 21 churches, six schools, the

Wrexham Muslim Association, and the Transition

Holywell & District community group.

A broad-based organisation, TCC is made up of

many different faith and secular groups, who work

together to take action on issues affecting their

local communities.

Over the past 17 years, TCC have won several

important victories which have had a positive

impact on the lives of thousands of people.

They campaigned against the establishment of a

waste incinerator, instead supporting the council to

establish a recycling system; taken on big businessto reduce intrusive noise from a local aluminum

factory; and helped residents to increase the safety

of their streets.

In addition, TCC are also campaigning for both

Flintshire and Wrexham Councils to introduce the

Living Wage, the hourly rate that every worker in the

country needs to earn enough to provide their

family with the essentials of life. They have already

successfully campaigned for the Presbyterian Church

and the local Church of Wales diocese to adopt a

Living Wage.

TCC have also taken on doorstep lending and pay

day loans, gathering evidence from those who have

been driven into debt to take action against loan

companies. Working with Wrexham MP Ian Lucas,

they have successfully negotiated with The Money

Shop to persuade them to change the wording on

their website, so customers aren't encouraged to

borrow more than they need.

Local funeral directors are now being scrutinised by

TCC, after members raised the issue of families not

being given pricing when arranging a funeral,meaning they could be left with a bill much higher

than expected.

TCC offers training and support to enable everyone,

especially those who feel powerless, to tell their

stories, and improve their communities for

themselves.

They believe everyone can make a difference, have a

voice, and have power when they work together.

TCC (Trefnu Cymunedol Cymru/Together Creating Communities)35-37 Kingsmills RoadWrexhamLL13 8NH

Office: 01978 262588Mobile: 07528525872Web: www.tcc-wales.org.ukFacebook: www.facebook.com/TCCWalesTwitter: @TCCWales

T^y Nos emergency night shelter

Trefnu Cymunedol Cymru/Together CreatingCommunities (TCC), North East Wales


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For many years Wrexham town centresCapel y Groes (Chapel of the Cross) hadproblems with rough sleepers bedding down intheir porch and grounds.

A lack of facilities meant that local homelesspeople had nowehere else to sleep. But childrenwere picking up needles discarded in the

grounds; tragically, a rough sleeper died whilsttrying to shelter in the chapel porch.

Something had to be done.

The congregation didnt just want to move people

on; instead they were keen to find a sustainable

solution.

In October 2005, they approached TCC for help, and

became members. TCC held an assembly around the

issue, where church goers and former local homeless

people described their experiences.

Extensive research was carried out, and it was

decided to create a permanent emergency night

shelter in the town. A coalition of local businesses,

church leaders, police, Welsh Assembly members,

housing associations and councillors was formed to

work together to create the shelter.

Wrexham Council donated a building, and Clwyd

Alyn Housing was asked to run the facility. Just over

a year after Capel y Groes first joined TCC, the

temporary shelter was opened in Winter 2006.

But the celebrations were short-lived. The council

decided the shelter was becoming too expensive

and in April 2007, it was closed. Undeterred, the

coalition led by Capel y Groes continued to

fight for a permanent shelter.

After 12 months of frustrating negotiations, Clwyd

Alyn eventually won the council tender. A

permanent emergency night shelter, Ty Nos, was

finally opened December 12, 2008.

The action has galvanised the community to tacklehomelessness. Volunteers now provide a hot meals

service for local homeless people on Thursdays and

during the weekends. Capel y Groes are

campaigning for a day centre, so that homeless

people can access activities during the day when

the shelter is closed.

And there are no longer rough sleepers at

Capel y Groes.

MENNA DAVIES, MEMBER, TCC & CAPEL Y GROES(CHAPEL OF THE CROSS), WRECSAM

Menna Davies, 64, is a retired Welsh teacherfrom Wrexham. She is member of the Capel yGroes congregation and TCC.

Capel y Groes were already members of TCC,and decided to enlist their help with thehomelessness issue.

Menna played a central role in the campaign toget a permanent night shelter established. Sincethen, she has become an active volunteer withthe towns homeless.

One Sunday morning, the caretaker came to open

up for the service and there was a person who had

died in the porch. It was upsetting really, for

everybody involved.

Night ShelterWe didnt just want to phone the police and get them sent on tosomewhere else, because theyd only become a problem to somebody else.

And they would still be homeless.

It does take a long time

to get these things andyouve just got to bedetermined and carry on.


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We were saying, We have to do something about

this, but we didnt just want to phone the police

and get them sent on to somewhere else, because

theyd only become a problem to somebody else.

And they would still be homeless.

We had lots and lots of meetings, and we had a bigassembly, TCC call it. We had a person whod been

homeless on the streets of Wrexham, whod got

himself a business, and whod got himself back

together again. He was able to help us and tell his

story, which was really good.

When the council came on board, things really

started happening. We opened this temporary

hostel, volunteers collected clothes, and it worked

really well. But the shelter had to close in April.

They said it was too expensive to keep it open.

The council sold the building, and it was thendismantled.

Local housing associations had to put a tender in

for the new shelter, and this took well over 12

months. We were really frustrated at the time

because we wanted to get this permanent shelter

ready for the winter.

It was difficult to get a place because we had

opposition from the local residents. We were really

committed to it, but at times, you didnt seem to be

getting anywhere, even though we had different

agencies working together, and co-operation wasreally good.

It does take a long time to get these things and

youve just got to be determined and carry on.

It was really, really exciting when the permanent

shelter opened. And we havent just got the shelterand forgotten about them. Volunteers make hot

meals, and were trying to get a day centre. Its

brought people together.

Its really good how well things are going. We try to

encourage them, and its good to hear of people

who started off in the shelter, who have now got

their own flat. You feel that youve helped them, as

well as helping ourselves. G

Its good to hear ofpeople who started offin the shelter, who have

now got their own flat.You feel that wevehelped them, as well ashelping ourselves.

Menna Davies in Capel y Groes


7/25

A New MosqueEven the day the EDL came to demonstrate in the town - a very smallnumber - they gathered in a pub and were chased out by some old ladies

who said, We dont want you here.

After almost twenty years of worshipping inportakabins and rooms above kebab shops, theWrexham Muslim Association were desperatefor a permanent spiritual home.

Working with TCC, they first had to fight for abuilding; then they had to overcome strongopposition. Now they have made a home in the

formerly derelict Wrexham Miners Institute,one of the towns most historic buildings.

The towns small but significant population of 1,500

Muslims include many staff from the local Wrexham

Maelor hospital, and students of Glyndwr University

(formerly North East Wales Institute (NEWI)). They

originate from around 56 countries. With the nearest

mosques in Rhyl and Chester, most working people

were unable to make Friday prayers.

The towns first mosque, a room above a kebab shop,

was set up 1987, but only housed around sevenpeople. Glyndwr University stepped in in 1995 and

provided a portakabin.

Every Friday, between 100 to 140 Muslims attended

prayers; but a lack of space meant women and

children were unable to take part.

As founder members of TCC, the association

enlisted their help to search for a building. They held

a number of meetings with the council to find a

suitable building to buy without success. A local

church was considered suitable but was sold withplanning permission for housing: a Welsh

Presbyterian church was almost purchased but

covenants rendered the property unsuitable.

But as property prices dropped, more buildings

became available. The Miners Institute had closed in

2008 after a drop in membership; it was derelict

after the owners had gone bankrupt.

Despite concerns about local opposition, the

Wrexham Muslim Association bought the building.

The reaction was negative. The anti-Islam English

Defence League mounted a campaign against themosque, and held a demonstration in the town.

Hundreds of abusive comments were posted on

social media sites.

But, working alongside TCC, the association invited

politicians, councillors and community

representatives to come and see the building, and

hear their imam speak. Supporters spoke out against

the protests, and tensions were diffused.

The association have pledged to preserve the

Institutes rich history, placing the building back in

the heart of the community.

DR IKRAM SHAH, TCC TRUSTEE AND CO-FOUNDEROF THE WREXHAM MUSLIM ASSOCIATION

Dr Shah, 70, arrived in Wrexham from his nativePakistan in 1967. He has worked as a doctor inthe town for 26 years.

As a founder member of TCC, he has been

involved with a number of actions before TCCsupported his bid to establish the mosque.

When we went to negotiate with the council, we

had two other TCC members with us and they were

wearing dog collars. The deputy chief executive said:

Excuse me, Im a bit puzzled, youve come to talk to

us about the mosque, so what are the two clergy

wearing dog collars doing with you? The clergy said:

We support them, we are with them.

Because TCC have group instead of individual

membership, we were all part of the big community rather than an isolated, small, group. People knew

us, they knew our faces, they talked to us, they

understood what we said. It was on an equal basis.

Were here to contributetowards the community.We want to show thedetractors and the people

who are saying bad thingsthe real picture.Dr Jishi


8/25

The first time I asked TCC to help us was when we

were trying with the Council and we were gettingnowhere they were all very nice and very friendly

but nothing got done.

I asked TCC at the strategy meeting whether they

would take it up as one of their projects, so we were

extremely grateful that they agreed. They were with

us all the time.

With their help and support, all the documents

were ready. We had the building which the council

agreed to let us have on a lease. The contract was

ready to sign, so we were lucky. They knew we werelooking for a permanent place, so we were very

fortunate that this place came up and that we were

able to acquire it.

We heard about the EDL and the BNP and these

kinds of people, so we expected some sort of

resistance. But with TCC's help and support, and all

the links in the community, they were all our

supporters.

Even the day the EDL came to demonstrate in the

town a very small number they gathered in a pub

and were chased out by some old ladies who said,We don't want you here. And there was a vigil by

the churches in our support, so we can't thank them

enough for that. It was extremely helpful. G

Fellow mosque co-founder and TCC trustee Dr Farookh Jishi with Dr Shah inthe main prayer room of the new mosque

Cement FactorPollutionPeople were more concerned aboutdust and noise. That is somethingthey can see. Its the unseen wewere concerned about.

There has been a cement factory in Padeswood,Flintshire, for around thirty years; but over thelast decade the community has becomeincreasingly concerned about the dust, noise,

and potentially cancer-causing dioxin emissionsbeing produced by Hanson Cement.

Between 2000 and 2010, more than 2,000official complaints were made about the factory.And in February 2010, Hanson were fined250,000 for noise pollution, releasing 250tonnes of dust, and for two fires which pumpeddangerous fumes into the air.

TCC have been campaigning for better monitoring of

the factory since 2005, and has been meeting regularly

with the Environment Agency (EA).

In June 2010, Public Health Wales launched a

500,000 investigation into claims that dioxins from

the site were causing people to develop cancer and

respiratory diseases.

TCC played a central role in community engagement

meetings set up as part of the investigation,

contributing their views.

In July 2012, the Hanson Cement Investigation

Response Team announced that they had found no

evidence that factory emissions resulted in harm

to peoples health. However, due to dioxin levels

only being measured twice a year, much was

still unknown.

TCC have since succeeded in getting a commitment

from management to introduce 24-hour dioxinmonitoring.

More than 2,000 officialcomplaints were madeabout the factory.

It doesnt matter whether

theyre Conservative,Labour, or Liberal; wehold them to account.These are the skills wehave learnt from the TCC.

Dr Jishi


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The Hanson Cement Factory (credit: Flintshire Leader)

BLODWEN ELLIS, MEMBER, TCC AND HOPEPARISH CHURCH

Blodwen Ellis, 59, is a retired science teacher,and lives in the village of Hope, less than fivemiles from the Hanson plant.

As part of a small team from TCC, she has beeninvolved in negotiations with the EA and HansonCement for seven years.

I quite took to it really, because I have a science

background. And the person who was leading theaction was quite inspirational.

I dont think a lot of people understood what

dioxins are. They were more concerned about dust

and noise. That is something they can see. Its the

unseen we were more concerned about.

Theres a lot of apathy; people dont know the facts

but theyre not willing to go and find out what's

happening. The investigation team hired halls in the

area, telling people that there was going to be

meetings and they could come and ask questions.And in some cases, only two or three people turned

up. So they were really surprised when at the Hope

meeting, TCC members turned up and started asking

proper questions.

The plant was approved to be open continuously,

but now because of the recession, they are starting

up and closing down every other week. We didnt

know what effect this would have on dioxin levels,

so it was a big worry for the community, especially

as dioxins are only measured twice a year.

The 24-hour monitoring is now being developed.If its proved to be good enough, then the EA

will recommend that Hanson switch to continual

dioxin monitoring.

Its extremely important

to be very organisedwhen dealing withpowerful organisations.Then they take youseriously.

If we had not gone and asked questions of the EA,

they would not have followed it up and we wouldnot be having 24-hour monitoring. Management has

changed now and I believe they are more open.

They have a good relationship with the EA. I think

things are improving.

TCCs methodology impressed me. Before we went

to a meeting, we had a meeting. One of us had a

question each, which we were really clued up on.

We would have a meeting afterwards to evaluate

what wed found out, and then decide what we were

going to go next.

Its not a talking shop, its about getting information.

It's extremely important to be very organised when

dealing with powerful organisations like the EA.

Then they take you seriously.

People used to complain before about dust on their

cars, but that doesnt really happen now. They have

put a lot of monitoring equipment in place, and tried

to reduce the noise with insulation.

TCC will keep on going to the liaison meetings, and

see how it all goes. If any issues come up, we are

very fortunate; weve got a good relationship withthe EA. They are quite willing to meet us, because

we come asking proper questions, and we don't

waste their time. G


10/25

Church Action on Poverty (CAP) and Oxfam firststarted working in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees,in November 2004. Thrive Teesside was createdin January 2007, and is now an award-winning,independent organisation, working inpartnership with CAP.

Thrive aim to get the voice of people on themargins of society directly to decision-makers,and effect real transformative change inTeesside. They work to build the economic andsocial resilience of local households and

communities.

Projects are focussed across Middlesbrough and

Stockton, and include Ragworth, Thornaby,

Newtown, North Ormesby and Brambles Farm, areas

which rank amongst the top ten per cent most

deprived nationally.

The regions traditional political and social networks

have been hit hard by the decline in heavy industry,

and an increase in unemployment.

Thrive Teessides work is based on two approaches;by building relationships with the most excluded

households, they identify the issues that keep them

trapped in poverty.

In addition, broad-based community organising gives

people skills and confidence, enabling them to work

together to call for change.

Thrive Teesside has been unique in getting debt

customers not just to manage their finances,

but also to tackle the companies which contribute

to the problem.

Through tough negotiations and campaigning work,

Thrive Teesside have enabled a group of women

from marginalised, low-income households to

fundamentally change the practices of a sector

which in 2011 made profits of over 45 million.

Their achievement in persuading the countrys three

biggest high interest, hire purchase companies to

sign up to a consumer charter has helped almost

325,000 customers across the country.

Through their ground-breaking partnership with theCentre for Responsible Credit, Thrive Teesside

continue to negotiate with the sector for lower

interest rates and better credit sharing practices.

Durham University have teamed up with Thrive

Teesside to research fuel poverty, and further

understand the impact of debt and how to fight it.

Thrive Teesside has been nationally recognised; one

of their members won the Sheila McKechnie

Foundation Take Action 2011 award for her

campaigning work.

Thrive Teesside aim to build on their success,develop more leaders from the community, and

create a truly sustainable future for the organisation.

Thrive TeessideThornaby Methodist Church, Stanstead WayThornaby TS17 9DZ

Telephone: 01642 769 570Email: [email protected]: www.thrive-teesside.org.ukFacebook: facebook.com/thrivestocktonTwitter: @ThriveTeesside

THRIVE Teesside

Greg Brown, Lead Organiser of Thrive Teesside


11/25

High-interest LendingBuy As You View have actually lowered their interest rates. Theyve alsostarted the ball rolling about sharing information on credit ratings. Its

had a knock-on effect, and the others have joined in. So it is working.

In 2010, the Thrive community group, angry atthe way high interest, hire purchase companieswere forcing many local people into debt to buybasic goods, decided to take action.

Since then, their award-winning campaign haspersuaded the sector to make significantimprovements to the way they do business,

improving the lives of 325,000 low-incomecustomers.

Bright House, Buy As You View and Perfect Home

made profits of around 45 million last year; but

charge almost double high street prices and interest

rates of up to fifty per cent for furniture and basic

goods like washing machines and TVs.

Despite these high costs, the companies target

low-income households who are dependent on

benefits, already in debt or struggling for cash.

The Office of Fair Trading states that more than athird of customers who use these rent-to-own

(RTO) outlets are dependent on the sector for credit.

Bad credit histories mean that many of their

customers are often unable to access bank loans,

credit cards, or even bank accounts, and have

nowhere else to go to buy essential goods.

Thrive, in partnership with Church Action on

Poverty, activated hundreds of people to send

emails to the chief executives of the three

companies, demanding that they lower their costsand improve their practices.

The group arranged a series of meetings in London,

and invited Bright House, Buy As You View and

Perfect Home, as well as politicians, the Office of

Fair Trading, and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

They teamed up with the Centre for Responsible

Credit to help them during the negotiations, and

secured funding for the campaign from the Friends

Provident Foundation.

Thrive created a hard-hitting YouTube video, Rip OffTV, which satirised the sectors practices, and

protested outside branches of those companies who

had refused to come to the negotiations.

BBC North East made a documentary about the

campaign, and The Sunday People newspaper

interviewed local people about their debt experiences.

The hard work paid off. Since the first meeting in

May 2011, Thrive have managed to get all three

companies to sign up to an improved customer

charter which commits them to limit their default

charges, refer debt-ridden customers to

independent advisers, ensure that their goods are

competitively priced, and better handle complaints.

Buy as You View have even lowered their interest

rates; instead of a 49.9 per cent flat rate, regular

payers now see their rates drop to 39.9 per cent,

while those who use direct debits pay 29.9 per cent.

Thrives success has been widely recognised. In 2011,

they won the Voluntary Organisations Network

North East award for best campaign. They are now

working to try to persuade the rest of the RTO

sector to sign up to the charter. They also want

companies to start sharing credit data, enabling

customers to access lower interest, mainstream,forms of credit.

The campaign continues.

How much does it cost?Many of the goods that the RTO sector sell are priced higheven before the interest kicks in. Add on hidden extras andinterest rates of up to 50 per cent, and RTO customers end uppaying almost three times the retail cost or more.

(Source: Brighthouse, PerfectHome, Buy As You View)

Acer Gold 15 laptopCurrys.co.uk = 409.90

Brighthouse = 1,142.96[579.64 + Interest + OptionalService Cover (104 paymentsof 10.99)]

Beko washing machineAppliancesOnline = 250BuyAsYouView = 661.44[379.99 + Interest (156payments of 4.24)]

Panasonic 32" LED TVAmazon.co.uk = 380

PerfectHome = 778.44[541.99 + interest (156payments of 4.99)]

Nevada leather sofafurnituredirectltd = 320PerfectHome = 1,393.60[870.99 + interest (208weekly payments of 6.70)]


12/25

DONNA ALLISON, MONEY MENTOR

Mum-of-five Donna Allison, 27, of Thornaby,is a member of Thrive. Taking out doorstep loansand using buy-as-you-rent companies had lefther with large debts. But with Thrives help,Donna has now managed to pay off most ofher loans.

Donna is now a money mentor for the Thornabycommunity.

Everyone I know has doorstep lenders family,

friends. They also use Buy As You View and Perfect

Homes. You dont have the money to save when

youve got children or youre on benefits so you go

to these places. But then youre paying a thousand

pounds for a second-hand washer.

Our fridge freezer is reconditioned. But it will still

cost us just under a grand.

I had bailiffs coming to the door, and red letters all

the time. I was scared to answer the phone. I was

getting depressed. They threatened to come and take

my goods from me if I didnt pay. I was frightened.

Youd get loan sharks in my neighbourhood coming

to your door. You fall into it. They seem to target

Christmas time, when they know people struggle.

So youre going to take that money just to give your

kids a good Christmas. Id say on a hundred pounds

loan, you're paying about 190 back, if not more.

It was with Thrive that I built up the confidence and

managed to slowly get out of debt. I would take out

loans to get by for the kids for Christmas; last year

was my first debt-free Christmas. Ive nearly paid allmy loan sharks off.

They keep asking me if I would like another loan.

Now Im strong, and say no. I've started looking on

second-hand pages on Facebook, and on Freecycle.

If I need something, before Id be the type to just go

out and spend, and not think about where the

money is going.

I feel much better in myself. Ive got more money to

spend on the children. Im saving. And all the money

that Ive given to those loan sharks Im putting into atin. Im not adding onto my debt. The money I get is

my own money, its not a loan sharks. Its my own.

Ive wanted to give something back, and now Im

doing a money mentoring scheme. I go to peoples

houses to tell them my experience. How Ive

managed to get myself out of debt with the help of

Thrive. And hopefully help others.

I know that I can make a change because Ive got

the experience. I think people tend to listen more

when they know you've been through it. Its good to

give something positive back and help others. G

I know that I can make a

change because Ive gotthe experience. And Ithink people tend tolisten more when theyknow youve beenthrough it.


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One of the frustrations from both sides of the table

is how difficult that is. Theres no specific legislation

to allow it to happen the OFT have only made

recommendations and guidelines. But it has made

the OFT see there that there is a groundswell both

from consumers and businesses.

It is a piece of PR. Youd be a liar to say otherwise.

But thats not been the driver. Weve seen that this

has been good for us; its helped us improve.Its changed the way we do things.

I would say to community organisers; try a gentle

approach first. Its worth doing creative approaches

like Thrive. Be tenacious. And I would say to the

businesses; engage. There is nothing to lose.

We are absolutely prepared to make more changes

in the future. G

GRAHAM CLARKE, CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF BUY AS YOU VIEW

Graham Clarke discusses why he decided toengage with Thrive; and why other companieshave nothing to fear from community organising.

Whats worked has been people getting round the

table and talking. I think there needs to be

willingness on both sides of the table to do

something. Its amazing how perceptions change our

view of things.

In April 2010, I started getting some emails. As a

human being, no matter how resilient and tough you

are, it hurts when someone has a pot shot at you.

Ive always been a firm believer in communication.

Thrive were always going to get a receptive

response; it was a little bit prickly at first. They made

a spoof film, which looking back I have to say was

quite funny; but it was all designed to provoke.

They threw a lot of rocks at me. The danger is, do

you just sit back and not respond? Certainly in my

corporate life that was always seen as the best way

to approach. I don't buy that. I was able to show that

a lot of the things Thrive were frustrated with we

were in the process of changing.

The model currently works like insurance; good

payers subsidise bad payers. You pay the samewhether youre a bad customer, or youve been a

customer for 40 years.

I want to be able to reward good payers. That isnt

some soft hearted approach; this is business. I want

to keep good customers. As a consequence of that

we are one of the first companies in the sector to

offer differential pricing. My existing customers pay

a lower APR than new customers. We still have a

high APR; but its a high cost to collect. The company

never used to do direct debits.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) had made some

recommendations about data sharing; but from that

recommendation there was very little that had been

done. Coming together with Thrive was a catalyst to

get round the table and start moving towards that.

We are now designing a consumer charter that we

are signing up to and we are all in the process of

working out how data can be shared.

We are absolutelyprepared to make more

changes in the future.


14/25

People were listening tome. A nana, a mother, anormal everyday person.Not somebody whos gotairs and graces. It waselectrifying.

The second time we went, Brighthouse wasnt there.

So we decided that we would petition Brighthouse.

We stood outside the Stockton store with

cardboard cut-outs of microwaves, and I stood in acardboard cut-out of a washing machine. And next

time theyve come to the table.

When I walked out, the third time we went to

London, I was like a bouncy ball. Because people

were listening to me. A nana, a mother, a normal

everyday person. Not somebody whos got airs and

graces. I couldnt stop talking about it, it was so

electrifying to think that I was actually helping,

not just me, but other people in the same situation

Im in.

Im trying to help those coming up behind me. If its

just one person then Ive achieved a lifetimes

ambition. Then theyre not going to be in debt like

Ive been in debt.

Buy As You View have actually lowered their

interest rates. Theyve also started the ball rolling

about sharing information on credit ratings. Its all

been a knock-on effect where the others have joined

in. So it is working. It does work. The common man

does have a right and if they speak loud enough

theyve got to be heard.

If Id have realised that doing this sort of thing

would have empowered me and others, then I would

have done it a long time ago. G

MAUREEN HAGAN, THRIVE MEMBER

In 2008, grandmother-of-ten Maureen, 58, lefther partner and moved into unfurnished privateaccommodation. As a full-time guardian for two

teenage granddaughters, she had no savings andwas reliant on benefits.

Although she was able to find some second-handfurniture, Maureen had to turn to Perfect Homeand Buy as You View to purchase a new sofa, bed,washer and cooker.

At the beginning I joined Thrive to get me out of

four walls. I just carried on because it was something

to do. Then we started talking about the bad boys of

doorstep lending.

But where else do you go when youve got no

money to buy the goods with? Theres nowhere else

for a person with a bad credit rating or no credit

rating to go. Because they won't have you.

My main issue was to give us a credit rating. And

they've got to publicise that rating to other

companies to know that we are good payers.

First of all we contacted a multi-million pound

company to come and listen to us. We never

thought they would. But they did. And that was Buy

As You View. Graham Clarke (Chief Executive) camefrom Wales over to Teesside to meet with us. I just

couldn't believe that somebody would want to

come and meet normal people. But he did.

We were going down to London, to Dean House at

the back of Westminster Cathedral, which was a

place Id never thought Id see. There was Ministers,

there was the top man of the Citizens Advice

Bureau. PerfectHome was there. We just couldnt get

Brighthouse to the table. I thought, I'm just a spare

cog in this wheel. And then people started asking me

questions. I was absolutely shaking that people likethis were asking me questions.

The common man doeshave a right and if theyspeak loud enoughthey've got to be heard.


15/25

As part of the Governments policy of dispersingasylum seekers across the UK, the North East hasseen a large increase in the number of asylumseekers. Over 3,300 had moved to the area bythe end of 2006. In summer last year, Stocktonwas home to almost a quarter of the regionsasylum seekers.

In 2010, Thrive started receiving allegations that

asylum seekers were being mistreated by their

landlord.

Tenants alleged that houses had inadequate cooking

and sleeping facilities; they they were being

intimidated and told they would be reported to the

UK Border Agency (UKBA) if they complained; and

that the landlord was visiting houses without the

agreed 24 hours notice. Different faith and cultural

needs were reportedly being ignored.

With Thrives help, Diaspora Action and SupportUnited Kingdom (DASUK) was formed by two

Zimbabwean asylum seekers to address the issues.

In November 2010, DASUK organised a meeting,

which was attended by over 100 asylum seekers and

members of Stocktons voluntary and community

sector, as well as the towns mayor. Asylum seekers

told their stories; one former local councillor was so

moved, she agreed to become a partner and mentor

for DASUK.

Together with their new supporters, DASUKcontacted UKBA, who had contracted G4S to

provide asylum seeker services for the area, and

Jomast, who had been subcontracted by G4S to

provide housing, to ask them to attend a meeting to

discuss DASUKs concerns.

The meeting was held in April 2011; UKBA attended,

as did Migrant Helpline, a G4S partner, and the

Regional Refugee Forum.

Since then, DASUK have held several private

meetings with UKBA and G4S. They have been in

communication with Jomast. DASUK representativesnow also attend the local multi-agency forum on

asylum issues.

Although DASUK has yet to see concrete

improvements to the housing situation, negotiations

have been initiated, and are ongoing.

KUDZAI RUSERE, CO-FOUNDER, DIASPORA ACTIONAND SUPPORT UNITED KINGDOM (DASUK)

Kudzai Rusere, 46, is a Zimbabwean national.

The former Harare Polytechnic administrator, aleading light of the then anti-Mugabe Movement

for Democratic Change (MDC), fled her Hararehome in 2002 after receiving death threats,leaving her two daughters behind. She has notseen them since.

She is chairperson of the Middlesbrough branchof the MDC.

The housing provider wasn't actually adhering to

the contract or to the obligations of the

contract; so he took advantage of the people to

manipulate them.

They tried to threaten them and dehumanisethem, telling them that they should be grateful

theyve got a roof over their head because theyre

coming from Africa.

Asylum Seeker HousingI thought I was voiceless. And I felt disempowered. So when I met Thriveit really made a difference. Now I can take anything. I can take that

mountain. I feel so strong; so, so strong.


16/25

Seven women were given four pots to cook in.

These women have got children. How do you use

four pots amongst seven women? Its not feasible.

They started intimidating people when they

complained. It was terrible, to be honest with you.

The journey to having the meeting was a bit

challenging. With community organising, youve got

to get it from the community. And make sure that

the community can present their issues.

Eventually we built up the momentum with the

help of Thrive. And when the big man knows hes

going to be attacked, he tries to divide and rule. He

said, lets negotiate now, last minute, just a day or

two before the big meeting.

But there was nothing to negotiate about. They had

already refused three times to come to the meeting.

There were about forty to fifty asylum seekers

there. We had to represent our cases and our

experiences. We had testimonies from the people

who had been abused by the system and all the

problems that wed encountered.

Soon after the meeting, they went round doing

things that they used not to do; painting and buying

equipment for the houses. They sort of changed,

although not to the great extent that we wanted.

Now they know the problems that weve had and Ithink it will be taken on board.

Thrive doesnt actually do anything for you; they

empower you and they give you the direction and

the information.

Thrive really helped us. I thought I was voiceless.

And I felt disempowered. So when I met Thrive it

really made a difference. Now I can take anything.

Now I can take that mountain. I feel so strong, so,

so strong.

It has helped me to build my confidence, and to

really realise the potential that's in me. The currentsystem, it sort of takes the power from you. But

power is the ability to cause changes, wherever you

are; thats power. So I feel very powerful now, to

be honest. G

SUZANNE FLETCHER, MENTOR & PARTNER,DASUK

Suzanne Fletcher MBE, 67, is a respected formerlocal councillor in Stockton. After attending aDASUK-organised event in November 2010,and hearing co-founder Richard Mahlahla speak,she vowed to help the group.

Since then she has supported DASUK indeveloping documentation, negotiation andcommunication skills.

I was shocked. Ive heard lots of things in my life,

but to think this was actually happening in my own

community, I sat there with my mouth open.

My reaction was that somethings got to be doneand Im going to help to do it.

It has helped me buildmy confidence, and toreally realise thepotential thats in me.

Power is the ability tocause changes, whereveryou are; thats power.

They tried to threatenthem and dehumanisethem, telling them thatthey should be gratefultheyve got a roof over

their head because theyrecoming from Africa.

Richard Mahlahla:

Co-Founder, Diaspora

Action And Support

United Kingdom


17/25

In ten or twenty yearstime, some of thesepeople weve beenworking with will beleading the whole

community, not just theirown. And I think it willbe different and betterbecause of that.

We had a meeting with people from DASUK. They

were wonderful people, and brave, to be talking

about it when their own position was so insecure in

this country.

I think theres two strands: one is helping them

tease out what the issues are you can do something

about, and what you cant. The other strand is how

we relate to the different organisations that we

approach.

When we were organising the meeting that we

had in April, we had a number of rehearsals. We

spent quite some time working out who was going

to say what.

Its made what Ive always wanted to do to workwith and for people much more possible. Because

it was a completely different, non-political setting.

Which made it much better.

Ive learnt what Ive always known that the asylum

seekers have got so much about them, such huge

dignity. All theyve ever asked for is to be treated

with dignity and respect. The more Ive got to know

them the more Ive come to respect who they are.

Everybody moving forward together is a really

important thing. I thought I would have had this

sorted out by the end of December last year.

Youre taking people with you and you walk slowerif everybody is going at the same pace.

We can use community organising for everything

when these good people are settled citizens and

theyve got jobs and are really part of the community.

They know how to organise, they know how to put

the case, they know the power of personal

testimony, they know how to use people power.

In ten or twenty years time, some of these

people weve been working with will be leading the

whole community, not just their own community.And I think it will be different and better because

of that. G

DASUK mentor Suzanne Fletcher with Richard Mahlahla


18/25

The West Midlands is one of the homes of UKcommunity organising; Black Country Citizenswas the one of the countrys first ever organisinggroups. It evolved into the West Midlands YouthOrganising Project (WMYOP), which thenbecame Young Citizens.

In 2005 Birmingham Citizens was created, withYoung Citizens as its youth wing. Now it is anorganisation of 43 institutions, including schools,mosques, trade unions, universities, churches andother non-profit organisations.

Birmingham City Council have recognisedBirmingham Citizens as the largest, most diversecommunity organising alliance in the WestMidlands.

Since 2008, Birmingham Citizens has been based at

the Nishkam Centre, a community development hub

attached to the large Sikh Gurdwara on bustling

Soho Road, in Handsworth, near the city centre.

The first ever meeting held in the Nishkam Centre

was a Birmingham Citizens Annual General Meeting.

Birmingham Citizens aim is to enable community

institutions to work effectively on the pressures that

face families and neighbourhoods, and to bring

together the mixed communities of Birmingham.

By identifying key power players in the city,

researching issues and preparing and training leaders,

they build partnerships with key officials to create

stronger and more stable communities.

Since Birmingham Citizens was first established, they

have held annual community conventions, bringingtogether over a thousand people every year from

across the city, including local politicians, religious

and trade union leaders, and police.

Birmingham Citizens launched the European

Governance Campaign in the West Midlands,

involving over 10,000 people across the region in a

discussion around neighbourhood regeneration.

Training has included the development of a resource

on active citizenship for young people, used in

schools. Working with police, Birmingham Citizens

won a commitment to pilot an awareness trainingprogramme to bridge the relationship between the

Muslim community and police.

During the disturbances of 2005 and 2011,

Birmingham Citizens organised faith and community

leaders throughout the affected areas of Lozells and

Handsworth to call for reconciliation. Following the

violence, they continued to work to address the

underlying issues.

Their Young Citizens arm thrives; and regular iCirclemeetings work with dozens of young people to

support integration and tackle extremism.

Birmingham Citizens6 Soho RoadHandsworthBirmingham

B21 9BH

Telephone: 07525 254 223Email: [email protected]: www.birminghamcitizens.orgTwitter: @sajidamadni

Birmingham Citizens

The Soho Road Gurdwara, one of the largest Sikh

temples in Britain, includes the Nishkam Centre,

Birmingham Citizens office

BIRMINGHA CITIZENS


19/25

The weekly iCircle meetings work like a youthclub. But as well enjoying sport and art, theyoung Muslims who attend are taught how tochallenge perceptions, tackle prejudice andencourage integration.

Across Birmingham, many of the citys estimated

150,000 Muslims live in very self-contained

communities; some schools have up to 95 per cent

Muslim students.

By breaking down the barriers between Muslim and

non-Muslim communities, the iCircle aims to

promote cohesion.

Young people participate in wide-ranging discussions

about every aspect of their faith, including

relationships, dress, work, and socialising.

By encouraging young people to be outward-looking

and embrace multiculturalism, iCircle hopes toencourage them to reject extremism and segregation.

There are about five iCircles held across Birmingham

every week, for around 200 boys and girls. In

addition, iCircle runs longer residential outdoor trips.

The iCircle is run by around 15 leaders. The group is

always looking for more volunteers.

NADIM TAHIR, PIONEER, THE iCIRCLE

Entrepreneur Nadim Tahir, 34, first becameinvolved with the work of Birmingham Citizensin 2010 when organising a charity fundraiser forthe victims of the Haiti earthquake disaster.

Yet when members of the citys Muslimcommunity questioned why he was helpingnon-Muslims, he was shocked. Determined toimprove integration amongst the citys young

Muslims, he decided to help create the iCircle.

Young Muslims were just not making the effort to

become integrated into society. Youll find, around

Birmingham especially, that these kind of kids dont

have any access to people who are not of the same

faith or background.

When I first started to work with the Birmingham

Citizens, I was asked to help organise a charity dinner

for the people of Haiti.

But when we came across certain people in the

community who said, Hold on, theyre not actuallyMuslim, for me, it was a wake-up call. I realised that

a lot of people in our community dont understand

that they have a duty towards human beings

iCircle Youth GroupI want my children to live in a multicultural, tolerant society, in whichpeople of various religions and faiths get on and look at what unites,

rather than divides them.

By getting integration

out there, we are able totalk to people who arenot Muslim, and say,we are not really thatalien. We are not into allof this so-called jihadyou see on the TV.


20/25

whether theyre Muslim or not. So that was one of

the reasons we set up the iCircle.

We have a tradition in which we have to look after

our neighbours forty doors to the right, or forty

doors to the left. Regardless what their religion or

background is.

I want my children to live in a multicultural, tolerant

society, one in which people of various religions and

faiths get on and look at what unites, rather than

divides them.

You can break down any community into what

separates them; religion, eye colour, skin colour, itgoes on and on. But were all humans and we just

want to get on. That really is the motivation

behind it.

We have a tradition in which we haveto look after our neighbours fortydoors to the right, or forty doors tothe left. Regardless what their religionor background is.

Nadim with an iCircle group

Birmingham has had a few problems with people

like the EDL (English Defence League). Perhaps

theyve have had a bad experience with people from

Muslim communities. I feel thats one of the reasons

why people like the EDL are prevalent; because

people dont know what Muslims are actually about.

By getting integration out there, we are able to talk

to people who are not Muslim, and say, we are not

really that alien. We are not into all of this so-called

jihad you see on the TV.

There are very gradual developments; a lot of the

kids will attend the iCircle to socialise and see their

friends. But if we only hit one of two per cent of

them, then obviously there is a knock-on effect to

all the kids that they know, and the next generation.

I do see that difference, and its very, very positive.G


21/25

differences. Because when weve passed that hurdle

and accepted each other for who we actually are,

thats when the real work can begin.

At Birmingham Citizens, people are very

comfortable with each other. The relationships have

deepened over the years. We held a summer school

about the difficult issues we usually brush under the

carpet. We were able to be honest and frank with

one another and it was all done respectfully.

City council leaders will come to our events

because they know that were not just representing

one particular community, were representing tens ofthousands of people from different communities.

We have the faith leaders of Birmingham on board,

and theyre a powerful group. People in Birmingham

are proud to belong to faith groups and are proud

citizens of a city that goes beyond tolerance. I think

it's something that gives Birmingham Citizens

immense strength.

We can have real raw conversations and real

relationships and do real work knowing that weve got

these differences; but we all want the same things.

There isnt anybody in Birmingham Citizens that cant

communicate or empathise with any one communityout there that needs our help. The work is easier

because of the relational power we have built. Theres

always much more to be done together. G

Community organisingis civic engagement.

Get involved, andinfluence the decisionsthat are taken about ourlives. Thats communityorganising.

SAJIDA MADNI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE,BIRMINGHAM CITIZENS

Sajida Madni, 32, has been an organiser withBirmingham Citizens since 2005. She describeswhat community organising means to her.

I always give the analogy of football when Im

describing community organising. If you have teams

A and B playing on the field, and team C is

spectating, rarely do the players on the field on

either team go up to team C and say, You guys have

been watching me for years and years is there

anything I can do to improve my game? Theyll just

sign an autograph and thats about it.

In real life, on the field the two teams making all

the decisions about the things that impact our

(Team Cs) life are the government and corporations.

Rarely do they consult us in anything. My job as a

community organiser is to get team C on the field

permanently; not just as spectators, but to get

involved in the decisions that impact our lives.

Community organising is civic engagement. Its

getting us to take power, because power is never

given, its taken. Get involved, and influence thedecisions that are made about our lives. Thats

community organising.

It was when I went to a Leadership training

provided by Birmingham Citizens that I decided I

wanted to be a community organiser. It was unlike

anything. It was very practical, it gave me real tools

to go out there in the real world and enable the

community around me to help make positive change

in our neighbourhood.

Diversity is our biggest strength. Birmingham

Citizens differs in a way; a lot of communityorganisers would say, lets just forget about our

differences, and lets work together. But I didnt think

that was very fair; so I said, lets talk about our


22/25

Thrive Greater Manchester was first establishedin 2008 by charity Church Action on Poverty(CAP). Through their work with disadvantagedcommunities across the city, CAP had realisedthat people needed support to access power.

They decided community organising was thebest way to give people the knowledge andconfidence to improve their neighbourhoods.

The group now have around 40 members fromacross Salford and Manchester.

Thrive Greater Manchester supports people to

collectively solve problems in their communities.

They train groups to understand how to bring a

problem to the table, research the background,

and find out exactly what the possible issues and

barriers are.

They then help those groups form relationships with

power brokers, so they can negotiate solutions.

Community organising began in Manchester 2004.

Dozens of small refugee organisations came

together from across the city to establish a Refugee

and Migrant Charter, backed by civic leaders, which

for the first time established their rights and

responsibilities as citizens.

From there, Thrive in Greater Manchester worked

alongside asylum seekers to improve both their

housing and the way they receive benefits.

They have campaigned alongside tenants groups inCollyhurst for significant improvements to

dilapidated and rundown housing. They have helped

prevent a mosque in Moss Side from being closed by

the council, instead working with the authority to

ensure planning regulations were fulfilled and

residents concerns addressed.

Working with the National Endowment for Science,

Technology and the Arts (NESTA), Thrive in Greater

Manchester have pioneered the use of participatory

budgeting as a tool for community organising. They

engaged over 550 local people from three of the

most deprived areas of the city in the directallocation of 45,000 to 37 community groups.

Three action groups including one around school

exclusions have emerged.

Now, with support from the Young Foundations

Building Local Activism programme, they are

expanding the use of community organising into

new areas of the city. They are beginning to tackle

issues around rogue landlords, and the shoddy

treatment of unemployed young people.

Thrive Greater Manchester3rd Floor, Dale House35 Dale StreetManchesterM1 2HF

Telephone: 0161 236 9321Email: [email protected]: www.church-poverty.org.uk

THRIVE Greater Manchester


23/25

Mum-of-four Jackie Burton, 48, was first inspiredto set up Three As (Action for AcademicAchievement) in 1993 after her own son wasunfairly threatened with exclusion. The grouphas since helped hundreds of children acrossGreater Manchester get back to school. They arenow working with Thrive Greater Manchester ona range of issues around school exclusions

African-caribbean boys are four times more likely to

be excluded but are much more vulnerable than

others to the impact of leaving education.

For expelled boys living in inner-city areas like

Manchesters Moss Side, where gang-related crime is

a huge problem, the risk of criminalisation is high.

When Jackie Burtons son was first threatened with

exclusion, she decided to stand up to the decision.

An active member of Moss Sides Jamaican Societyand a local youth worker, Jackie was able to call on

influential community representatives at short

notice to support her case. But, she realised, many

other parents may not have that help.

So she set up Three As to assist parents in the same

way that she was.

As well as negotiating with head teachers to get

children reinstated, Three As also work to tackle the

root causes of exclusion.

They are currently working alongside Thrive Greater

Manchester (GM) to encourage fathers to get more

involved in school life, breaking down the barriers

that may stop them being engaged.

Members of Three As and Thrive GM have met with

the Childrens Commissioner, who has published a

damning report about school exclusions across

the country.

The Commissioner has agreed to work with Three As

to challenge unfair and illegal exclusions, and build a

culture of good practice in which issues are resolvedbefore they reach crisis point.

JACKIE BURTON, SECRETARY, THREE As

It started when my own son was at school; Ireceived a phone call to say he had been accusedof extortion and bullying. They were words thatforever stick in my mind.

When I went into the room, there were chairs in a

semi-circle and one chair in the middle for me. But

when I came in with my entourage, people startedto rearrange the chairs and the power of joining with

others just changed the dynamics.

The whole thing got dropped. But what it made me

realise is that there are a lot of parents who may

have been in that situation who would have just

fallen to pieces.

So from that day I vowed I would get a group

together to support parents. Thats where Three As

came from.

We dont turn anyone away. And we still dont now.Its very difficult because were running with no

funding, as volunteers. It is like full-time job. But

someones got to do it. And each time I think Im

School ExclusionsIt is a massive problem. If youre excluded from school as a young blackchild youre eight times more likely to be locked up, dead, or in a gang.


24/25

tired or I cant be bothered, I think of that day when I

got called into school and those people who gave

up time for me. So I always go.

It is a massive problem. And it doesnt seem to be

going away. The statistics say if youre excluded from

school as a young black child youre eight times

more likely to be locked up, dead, or in a gang.

Your whole social development is deferred because

of this exclusion.

Schools need to be more culturally aware. Ive seen

children get in trouble for things that are not

necessarily bad-mannered within their culture, but

the school has seen it as that.

When you come into teacher training college you

come in with your own attitudes and stereotypes.

And youre bringing those into your teaching. I think

that at teacher training college there should be

modules that are ongoing around race and equality.

There are several teachers who do really well.

They see those young people as individuals; not by

the colour of their skin. Until you get to that place,

where every teacher thinks like that, then were going

to have problems.

Weve had parents do courses, weve had parents

become school governors. Weve had children who

have been reinstated back into school who had been

thrown out and told theyre never going back. Weve

managed to negotiate with head teachers. Weveheld conferences with hundreds of parents.

Particularly with young black boys, if their fathers

arent involved, the risk of them being excluded is

far higher. Its about working with those men and

getting them involved.

Community knows what community needs.

And too often with policy makers, they have no

clues about how people live, think, eat and sleep.

So how can they make a decision or policy that

affects their lives?

Every child has a right to a decent education. Every

child has a right to be in school. And I will fight for

that until theres no breath left. G

Every child has a right toa decent education. And Iwill fight for that untiltheres no breath left.

Mental HealthI feel as though we are listened to more now whenwe go to meetings. You get the feeling that they

dont really want you there, because we speak uptoo much. But thats what we are about.

With a suicide rate twice thenational average, Manchester hasa huge mental health problem.Many of those suffering frompsychological conditions self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.

Their carers are often left aloneto deal with the chaos that theirloved ones conditions can cause.But now carers have cometogether to offer each othersupport and demand better care.

In 2009, the Greater Manchester

Alcohol and Drugs Carers Group

was formed by those with mentally

ill and addicted relatives and friends.

After contacting Thrive GreaterManchester in May, they organised a

carers hearing in Manchester; more

than 200 carers and senior

representatives from Manchester

Mental Health and Social Care

Trust attended.

At the hearing, carers shared their

powerful and often shocking stories.

Many are forced to buy alcohol

and drugs from street dealers for

their relatives; many had beenattacked by those they love.

The hearing had the effect of

galvanising the group, empowering

them whilst having an impact on

those in positions of power.

The group now regularly attends

official Trust and NHS meetings,

scrutinising their decisions. They

fight for the rights of their relatives,

representing their interests at official

level. They have set up a help linefor other carers. And, crucially, they

provide support for one another.

PAT WHEELDON, FOUNDER,GREATER MANCHESTER ALCOHOLAND DRUGS CARERS FOCUS GROUP

Mother-of-three Pat Wheeldon,62, lives in Fallowfield,Manchester. She is the main carerfor her 33-year-old son, who isparanoid schizophrenic andalcohol dependent. He lives in24-hour supported accommodationin nearby Moss Side.

Pat herself suffers from mobilityproblems after having a strokein 2009.

The problem is not being able to get

the right treatment and care for our

loved ones. The service has not been

joined up and the drug and alcohol

services, they dont understand the

problems; they dont want to know.

So we are constantly being passed

around from one to the other, trying

to find the right service.

Its very, very stressful; it makes us

ill. One of the carers, on the day of

the hearing, was attacked by her son

whilst she had a broken foot and

was on crutches. Carers will also paythe drug dealers for drugs for their

loved ones.

My son took fiveoverdoses in 19months. Thats adisgrace really,isnt it?


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The carers hearing madeus feel empowered tochallenge the services.And we will not give upno matter what, becauseits our loved ones werefighting for.

Its so stressful what we have to go through, and we

dont get any help or support from the services.Our loved ones are just basically thrown into the

community and left to get on with it themselves.

My son took five overdoses in 19 months, and thats

a disgrace really isnt it? Theres a big shortage of

psychiatric beds in Manchester, and people are out

there suffering who need to be in hospital. Its just

a nightmare.

Weve founded this group, which is the Greater

Manchester Alcohol and Drugs Carers Focus Group.

Weve got 60-odd members, and we go to all the

meetings. Every one we can go to, we go to. Itshelped a lot and we all speak to each other, we all

help each other.

I feel as though we are listened to more now when

we go to meetings. You get the feeling that they

dont really want you there, because we speak up

too much. But thats what we are about.

Were fighting at the moment for locked doors in

psychiatric wards because they just let them come

and go as they please. They go out and they get

drugs and they take them onto the wards. We dont

want our kids to be going to hospital and taking

more drugs and alcohol.

So many people commit suicides on the wards as

well as off the wards. People are being left out in the

communities to just get ill, get really ill and get worse.

There were over 200 people at the carers hearing;

and all the important people that we needed to be

there, they did make us some promises. The hearing

made us feel empowered to challenge the services.

All the services know that were not going away.

And we will not give up no matter what, because its

our loved ones were fighting for. G

Pat Wheeldon, Founder, Greater Manchester Alcohol And Drugs Carers Focus Group

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