Milton Keynes' Communities Acting Together for Change

Annual Assembly

On Tuesday 6th December 2011, Christ the Cornerstone Church in CMK played host to the largest Civil Society gathering in Milton Keynes. Over 200 local citizens representing over 10,000 local people from 17 institutions in MK met to reflect, celebrate, empathise and act. At the event two new organisations joined the Alliance, the MK Somali Community Council and MK Sri Lankan Community Foundation, with strong interest from another two schools.

Giovanna Laryea a student at MK Academy who lives in Fishermead silenced the audience with her impassioned plea for social justice and the building of community relations. Her words were so poignant and striking that some local councillors found them a bitter pill to swallow. Another leader was Carmel Schmid from MK Quakers whose work on the Living Wage has taken her to negotiations with the CEO of Tesco and next week to a meeting with Ed Milliband to increase pressure on both larger business and politicians to pay all workers a Living Wage which nationally is £7.20 per hour rather than the national minimum wage which keeps people in working poverty.

Testimony included that of Ahmad whose nephew was shot in Fishermead in the Summer and who along with his family in Fishermead was a victim of a terrorising robbery two weeks ago. A shy man he told his story for the first time in front of over 200 people, a story which brought many listening to the verge of tears. This is a man who not only has shown exceptional resolve in the face of tribulation but is taking the active step of being part of an Alliance working together to combat crime in Fishermead and makes it’s streets safe.

The scene is set for 2012 to be a year of action, a year of drama and a year for local people to work together, build relationships and improve their own lives and the lives of those around them in Milton Keynes.

and part of the national network for community organising