Religions Partying Together

Churches, faith groups and community organisations are being invited to team up with Church Urban Fund’s Near Neighbours programme to host street parties, picnics and bake-offs in tribute to the late MP Jo Cox.

Near Neighbours is encouraging people to take part in the Jo Cox Foundation’s The Great Get Together between June 16 and June 18 – an opportunity to stage the biggest street party across the country since the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The three days of events will mark the first anniversary of Jo’s murder on June 16, 2016, while working in her constituency of Batley and Spen.  Jo, who spoke of how we have more in common than that which divides us, campaigned tirelessly for a fairer, kinder and more tolerant world. Her murder sparked an outpouring of grief and solidarity in the UK and across the world. 

Watch a video here of leaders from different religions saying why they want to get together for a party this month.

Near Neighbours has been bringing people together in diverse areas across the country since 2011. It supports projects including the One Roof night shelter for rough sleepers in Leicester, run by seven faiths or denominations, football tournaments bringing Christians and Muslims together and the Catalyst leadership programme for young people highlighting the positive contribution that multi-religious and multi-ethnic diversity makes at all levels of society.

Paul Hackwood, Executive Director of Church Urban Fund, said: “Jo cared deeply for others and her life was a shining example of her vision - that we have more in common than divides us. This message is dear to the heart of the Near Neighbours programme and its work to address unmet need and promote integration and social cohesion in communities. There can be no better way to pay tribute to Jo and to honour her life’s work than to take part in the Great Get Together.”

The Great Get Together was launched by Jamie Oliver and the Duchess of Cornwall in February this year. For more information on how to co-host an event with Near Neighbours see https://www.cuf.org.uk/ggt-about

For more information about Near Neighbours see https://www.cuf.org.uk/near-neighbours

EVENT: Salisbury Harnham Water Meadows Charitable Trust is having a Great Get Together Picnic and Kite Flying on the Deanery Mead area off the Town Path on Sunday 18 June - hopefully including river dipping and a metal detector adventure! 12-3 pm. Free entry and dogs on leads very welcome. Bring a kite, or a simple kite construction kit can be supplied.