Our Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope (CHCH) project has begun its work in the Diocese of Liverpool, with a first strategic cluster gathering held in St Helens Deanery.
The meeting brought together people from churches, other faith groups, local authorities, schools and voluntary organisations to listen to local experiences and explore how relationships and collaboration can help communities respond to division and build hope.
The fist cluster gathering on 8th September was attended by clergy from churches in St Helens, who lead congregations and undertake civic work in local parishes and communities.
They were also joined by a representative from St Helens YMCA Youth Hub and the Liverpool Combined Authority, as well as a representative from the local community.
Listening to local experiences
Danielle Azanuwha, Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope Social Cohesion Project coordinator for Diocese of Liverpool said: “The focus of this meeting was listening to local people’s lived experience. Liverpool Diocese heard about people’s feelings towards living and working in St Helens.
“People also shared their struggles and challenges as well as their hopes for their community. The Diocese will continue this strategic listening in St Helens throughout the course of the project and will soon hold their first cluster meeting in Huyton Deanery.”
This listening is an important part of Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope, a three-year project led by Together Liverpool with the Diocese of Liverpool and the Diocese of Chelmsford, commissioned by the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit.
The project brings churches, community organisations and local partners together to explore how they can respond to polarisation, hostility and division.
By creating opportunities for people to share their experiences and listen to one another, the work aims to strengthen trust, build relationships across differences and support communities to take action together.
A similar cluster meeting was held by the Diocese of Chelmsford’s CHCH team in Newham last month.
The Diocese of Liverpool will continue this strategic listening in St Helens throughout the project, developing relationships and learning more about the issues that matter to local people.
Work is also continuing to extend the project into other communities, with the first cluster meeting in Huyton Deanery planned for the coming weeks.
Through these early conversations, Countering Hate, Cultivating Hope is laying the foundations for long-term collaboration, helping local churches and partners understand their communities and consider how they can work together to build a more connected and hopeful future.
