Community Engagement

Our work to engage communities began in 2001 before the formal registration of Spirit of Peace as a charity. Much of this work was stimulated by visits to the UK by our international peace partners. Inspired by their work it became clear that communities over here wish to use similar means and methods to create more harmonious and flourishing communities in the UK.

Spirit of Peace has created a programme to addresses the causes of social tension and exclusion in our communities in the UK.

The majority of our workshops, events and presentations have been undertaken on themes related to peace, nonviolence and global citizenship and learning from and about the situation in the Middle East. They have been carried out in the context of multi-ethnic and mixed cultural groups fostering understanding, dialogue, respect and co-operation within the groups present.

Innovative activities have been aimed at promoting friendship, inclusion, confidence within disadvantaged groups, stronger communities and an appreciation of cultural diversity, and these activities have included members of socially excluded groups.

Regular and special events include:

• Bring and Share community suppers in partnership with The Friendship Cafe, Gloucester
• Monthly Conversation Event in Stroud– Presentations by international peace builders and others on work for peace and human flourishing in the UK and Middle East
• Workshops and training in the skills for creating communities of safety and human flourishing
• Training in Kingian nonviolence in partnership with Dr Ben Israel
• Bringing communities together around the theme of Flourishing for all and to engage with the worldwide Compassionate Communities/Cities Initiative

For more details of our work, please explore the Projects and Partners pages of our website.

UK Friends of Hope Flowers is the platform in the UK for the Hope Flowers School and Community Development Centre in Bethlehem, Palestine.

The Hope Flowers School is a unique school teaching peace and democracy, and aiding trauma-reduction and community development in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Our primary aim is to support the work of Hope Flowers and raise awareness of its existence and the breakthroughs it is making in the areas of peace, democracy, human rights-based education and community empowerment.

This support includes:

• Fostering links with schools in the UK.
• Raising funds.
• Running workshops based on the school’s methods and body of knowledge.
• Organising visits to the UK by the director or staff of Hope Flowers.
• Throughout these activities we work closely with the school and its directors.
• Keeping people informed via our Spirit of Peace newsletter.

Would you like to join and support this project?

We are looking for people who are interested in joining a working group to move the project forward, or who would like to volunteer or connect with Friends of Hope Flowers on any other level.

Please contact us for more information on getting involved.