PRESS RELEASE: CSC launches ‘32 Steps to Togetherness’ with the National Lottery’s Jubilee Grant
Civil Society Consulting CIC (CSC) has launched a collaborative civil society and faith sector initiative tackling loneliness and social fragmentation across the country - 32 Steps to Togetherness - with the support of National Lottery’s Platinum Jubilee grant funding.
CSC works with grassroots organisations on the front line of these issues. Despite welcoming the Government’s five-point plan to tackle loneliness during the lock-down, CSC identified a need for more resources to guide organisations and individuals who want to do their bit to build a sense of togetherness. Based on research from Jon Yates’ book Fractured: Why Our Societies are Coming Apart and how We Put Them Back Together Again, CSC has published the 32 Steps to Togetherness manual, providing a comprehensive list of practical actions to build back community and social connections.
The resource targets individuals from all sections of society, focusing on how social relationships can be established and strengthened in our local neighbourhoods, our workplaces, and through our habits and hobbies. CSC will engage as many people as possible in the initiative - promoting the manual through the organisation’s wide network of civil society organisations, political decision-makers and the general public. The promotion of 32 Steps is taking place in the lead up to the Big Jubilee Lunch on the 5th June, which marks an opportunity for communities to come together and put the steps into practice over the bank holiday weekend.
In parallel, CSC will also be: equipping London-based community leaders with the know-how and tools to set up local loneliness reduction projects through the two-day training Loneliness Learning Programme and; organising two regional meetings in London and Manchester to strengthen community links and partnerships driving the 32 Steps to Togetherness agenda.
“We are delighted to be supporting communities to prosper and thrive during a celebratory year for the UK…. Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be marked by events and activities across the country, including projects such as 32 Steps to Togetherness that bring people together to build friendships and connections.”
“We’ve seen first-hand the effects of loneliness and social fragmentation before, during and after the Covid pandemic, and how it links to rising polarisation in our society. Many community and faith leaders want to be part of the practical and solutions-based response to this. Our 32 Steps to Togetherness agenda is about just that. We hope everyone can get behind it.”
How can you get involved? CSC encourages individuals and organisations to:
Contribute ideas on how to develop and share the 32 steps by completing this survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/2W46XI/.
Share the manual using the hashtags #32Steps #StepsToTogetherness, initiating and contributing to online discussion around the steps.
Civil Society Consulting is a Community Interest Company (CIC) with a mission to strengthen the social sector. CSC provides high-quality, people-oriented consultancy services to civil society organisations at a not-for-profit price. CSC also provides free consultancy to grassroots social action leaders from ethnically diverse backgrounds to empower them to cater for the communities they know and care about.
Contact lucy@civilsocietyconsulting.co.uk for more information about 32 Steps to Togetherness, or click here.
