Catriona Robertson Partnership
local research / public policy / religious groups / europe / resilience / strategic planning / social networks / training & facilitation / awaydays / systemic changeA Good City for All: London
I worked with the Diocese of Southwark in bringing key players in the redevelopment of the southern waterfront of the Thames together at Lambeth Palace. The Archbishop of Canterbury hosted the event and each participant in a chain reaction of interviews was asked “A good city – what is your part in creating it?”
Hear what Jude Kelly, Rob Tincknell, Peter John, Noha Nasser, the Dean of Southwark and others had to say.
A booklet and more information can be found on the Battersea to the Barrier website.
The Financial Times (£) carried a piece on this recently.
All Hallows Project London SE1
There’s renewed interest in possible uses for the bombed-out church of All Hallows in London SE1 following a piece of work I completed earlier this year for Southwark Cathedral.
There’s an unusual opportunity here to work with local communities in new and transformative ways, addressing deep socio-economic divisions and revealing humanity and hope in a forgotten patch of this global city.
The Dean and Cannon Missioner have made a short video.
Have charities lost it?
Radio 4’s Analysis programme examines ‘the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad.’
This episode looks at the religious roots of charity and wonders whether, in an era of government funding, commissioning and public service delivery, it has become too big and business like. Or whether it’s a good thing that charities have moved on from personal morality based on ‘do-gooding impulses’.
It’s available as a podcast http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03cmnzs.
Southwark Cathedral – parish & social mission
Southwark Cathedral stands in an ancient part of London. Its parish lies in the centre of a globalised city which is experiencing unprecedented change: high-end regeneration along the riverside (including the Shard), increasing numbers of students and a long-standing local population which doesn’t appear to be benefiting from recent developments and which faces financial, educational, health and welfare reform challenges.
How will the Cathedral respond to this? How should it use its assets? Straddling both the glamorous riverside and the down-at-heel social housing areas, the Cathedral is in a unique position to work with local people and partners, bringing together experience and expertise for the benefit of all.
This report brings together statistics and qualitative research to capture the potential of an inner city area with an unusual history, an engaged Cathedral, a lively and diverse population, world class business and arts institutions and a range of pioneering civil society organisations.
Welfare state and co-production
BBC Radio 4’s State of Welfare looked at the future of the welfare state.
Julia Slay of the New Economics Foundation talks about the co-production of public services – read her 6 suggestions for change. You can also listen to the whole programme.
Julia is a friend of WCEN.
The Sanctuary of St Alphege
A place to find spiritual strength while working for economic justice and human dignity.
This piece of work started out by looking into a possible centre for urban spirituality in London SE1.
It ended with a lot more besides – sketes, students, catalytic co-production, multi faith spaces and a shrine.
We talked to some extraordinary people – thank you everyone who participated. A fascinating journey.
From Neighbourhood Renewal to the Big Society?
Come & join us in celebrating 10 years of WCEN on 22nd November at 6pm in Battersea.
Maurice Glasman will be speaking and we will be hearing from many friends who have supported us over the years. What will the next 10 years in social policy and community empowerment look like?
Plus – it’ll be a great party :)
Download an invitation and register your name.
Lunch in Multifaith Europe
Involved in building trust across communities? Want to make links with similar groups across Europe?
Join London Boroughs Faiths Network and others in central London for a light lunch on Monday 28th November 12.30-2pm to hear more about the new European Religion & Belief Network.
Download an invitation. Register online.
Better, smarter, co-produced public services
Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network is bringing community organisations, religious groups and public agencies together on Wednesday 28th September to Close the Gap between the public sector and local people.
This is a brilliant (and rare) opportunity to find out how co-production works, how faith groups can co-design services and how people who most depend on public services can get what they need.
Closing the Gap III will take place at the Samaj Hall, 26b Tooting High Street, SW17 0RG 4.30pm – 7.30pm (short walk from Tooting Broadway tube).
The event is free – register at www.closingthegap3.eventbrite.com.
Catriona Robertson Partnership 