Together Liverpool is beginning work on Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope, a new three-year national pilot project focused on strengthening community cohesion.
Funded by the Church of England’s national Racial Justice Unit, the project is now getting underway with the appointment of two new team members. We’re pleased to welcome Merab Gill as Project Lead – Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope, and Natalie Rodil as Project Co-ordinator.
The project responds to the growth of divisive narratives and social fragmentation, particularly in communities where people may feel disconnected or left behind.
It seeks to strengthen the Church’s role as a credible and hopeful presence in public life, rooted in listening well, building trust, and supporting stronger connections across difference. This includes speaking out against extremist narratives and supporting vulnerable communities that are experiencing high levels of deprivation.
Led by Together Liverpool, the pilot will run across the Dioceses of Liverpool and Chelmsford, from April 2026 until March 2029, with learning used to develop a model that can be shared more widely across the Church of England.
Merab and Natalie’s work will begin with leading careful listening in local communities, paying attention both to the pressures people are facing and to the strengths and resources already present.
Together with local staff Diocesan staff, the project will support churches and local partners to build trust, deepen relationships across difference, and encourage practical action that strengthens community cohesion.
They will deliver two connected strands:
- Speaking Out – equipping clergy and lay leaders with training, resources and theological reflection to challenge divisive narratives, strengthen interfaith and civic relationships, and support confident public voice.
- Working with communities – working in high-deprivation contexts to listen well, respond to practical need, and co-design pathways into inclusion, opportunity and wellbeing.
At its heart, the work is about strengthening social cohesion and restoring hope in communities where trust has been strained and voices are too often unheard.
Together Liverpool CEO, Rev James Green, said: “At a time when division and mistrust can so easily take root, this project is about helping churches and communities choose a different path — one rooted in hope, dignity and belonging. By listening well and working together, we believe real change is possible in places that have too often been overlooked.”
Merab joins the project from her role as Social Justice Project Lead Officer for the Diocese of Liverpool, alongside supporting Together Liverpool with administration and finance. She holds an MA in Religions and Theology and brings academic expertise in identity, belonging, and diasporic faith communities, alongside a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across faith and community settings.
Merab says: “I am committed to working alongside communities to create spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging and dignity, and where faith can be a force for justice and inclusion. We welcome your prayers as we begin this work.”
For updates about Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope, sign up for Together Liverpool’s newsletter, watch out for updates on this website, and follow Together Liverpool on Facebook and Instagram.
