The world feels uncertain right now and it is only natural to feel worried.  Peace Partners wants to be there for our supporters during this time and provide some positivity to help everyone cope a little easier.  We are happy to announce that we are launching a Peace and Positivity campaign this month; we want to focus on the idea of new beginnings and lightness, even when the world seems a little dark.

Over the next month we will be posting a couple of times a week to this page. Our posts will focus on three themes: Wellbeing, Peace and Environment.  We know there are so many contributing factors to supporting your wellbeing so we have selected a few themes we believe are important and will be focusing on these.

The campaign kicks off on 18th May and this week it will address the themes of The Power of Love and Kindness. We will be looking at how love and kindness can have a positive effect on those around us and ourselves too, especially now.

Keep an eye out for videos, recordings, articles, photos and much more. We will be including material from all over the world; sharing positivity worldwide during the pandemic.  There should be something for everyone to enjoy!  Please do leave your comments and feedback – we would love to hear how you are getting on.

Peace Partners hopes you will enjoy our Peace and Positivity campaign. We hope that you will laugh, feel inspired to make positive changes and continue to support.

]]> <![CDATA[ Supporting our coronavirus response partners through #GivingTuesdayNow ]]> Sun, 03 May 2020 11:05:46 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/supporting-our-coronavirus-response-partners-through-givingtuesdaynow Written by: Sean Morrissey
The global outbreak of coronavirus has changed the way we define community, for now. Many of the traditional fundraising channels have all but dried up, as regularly scheduled events and social gatherings are wiped off the calendar in accordance with social distancing guidelines. These fundraising events are about more than philanthropy; it is a chance to shake hands and share ideas with likeminded, charitable people and to show our greater appreciation for the important work they carry out every day. 

But we have also seen, over these last few months, a tremendous outpouring of support and solidarity from communities around the world. The hashtag #alonetogether continues to circulate the globe, as the clang of pots and pans are heard from neighbouring doorsteps each evening to celebrate the brave work of our health care professionals. 

The year has certainly brought out our better angels; from Alibaba CEO Jack Ma’s donation of 5.4 million masks to the whole of Africa, to Captain Tom Moore’s incredible one-man fundraising campaign which, at time of writing, has raised more than £30 million for the National Health Service. The story of then 99-year-old “Captain Tom”, who pledged to walk 100 laps around his garden in support of the NHS before his 100th birthday, stands as an inspiration to us all in our ability to make a change. 

This Tuesday 5th May, the world comes together for #GivingTuesdayNow in support of charities impacted by coronavirus and to recognise the tireless work of all those on the frontlines, from medical staff to public transport workers.

There are a myriad ways to show your support this giving Tuesday, here are a few: 
This coming Tuesday, Peace Partners encourage our friends and supporters to go one step further and share their support and solidarity by starting your own #GivingTuesdayNow Facebook Fundraiser. All funds raised through your Facebook fundraisers will directly support Peace Partners’ coronavirus response partnerships with The Trussell Trust  and St Mungo’s . 

To help you create a successful Facebook fundraiser we’ve developed a ‘How-to-Guide’ and range of supporting images. Click the file at the end of this article to download. 

Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to stand united in our support of community groups and caseworkers, of area food banks and homeless shelters. Together we can make history, with gifts of gratitude and hope around the world this #GivingTuesdayNow.
peace_partners_givingtuesdaynow-_how_to_set_up_your_facebook_fundraiser.pdf
File Size: 764 kb
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]]> <![CDATA[ World Earth Day Celebrates 50 Years ]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2020 10:59:56 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/world-earth-day-celebrates-50-years9688957 Written by: Louise Ingham
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Today we are celebrating the 50th annual World Earth Day!
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The theme for this year is Climate Action. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges to humanity, wildlife and the planet and we all need to work together to combat it. Due to COVID-19, Earth Day has organised plenty of digital events through their website, visit www.earthday.org to get involved.

Here at Peace Partners we are focusing on how to keep positive and maintain our wellbeing during this challenging time. Despite the many difficulties and losses the crisis has brought, there have been noticeable benefits to the environment. We have seen significant drops in air pollution and carbon emissions across the world, due to decreased travel and industrial production.

In addition, the air and water is becoming cleaner and there have been surprising wildlife sightings, in places where they haven’t been seen in decades. For example, dolphins in the Venice canals and deer roaming the streets of East London.


There are plenty of ways you can help the environment from home and celebrate World Earth Day this year. Practical work that has a positive impact can be fantastic for improving your well-being. Simple things can help such as letting your grass grow wild in your garden – this encourages wildflower growth and protects wildlife that might live in your garden, such as dormice. and newts. You can put out bird food to help the bird population thrive, or place some moss and water into a bowl to provide a drink to the busy bees. Eating more vegetarian meals whilst at home can also have a hugely positive impact on reducing carbon emissions.
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As Earth Day celebrates its 50th anniversary, and with millions practising social distancing,  we celebrate the resilience of the environment and its capacity for recovery.

​With whole countries going into isolation, we have seen some uplifting developments in the major areas affected by mass tourism: the Himalayas are visible for the first time in decades thanks to a drop in air pollution, the waters in the canals of Venice are at their clearest without boats crowding them daily, and closer to home UK lockdown has resulted in an air pollutants dropping significantly.

The fight for equal access to clean air, water and nourishing food is more essential than ever, to ensure that more positive changes can be registered in time for 51st Earth Day in 2021.

Play slideshow:
]]> <![CDATA[ Coronavirus: Rough sleepers are more at risk than ever, but St Mungo’s are rising to the challenge ]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:48:48 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/coronavirus-rough-sleepers-are-more-at-risk-than-ever-but-st-mungos-are-rising-to-the-challenge Written by: Sean Morrissey
The news of late is pretty grim. You wake up every morning to the TV over tea and toast to news that’s solely focused on coronavirus. You comb your hair, you brush your teeth, you make a plan for yet another day in isolation - but it’s okay. You call a friend, walk the dog, and otherwise abide by all social distancing guidelines, after all your home is the safest place to be.

However, not everyone is so fortunate to wake up in the warm bed of a safe home. An example of a typical story is someone like Davy - who didn’t always sleep rough but he does now. In fact, not so many months ago, Davy woke up every morning in his modest one-bedroom, fit for Davy and his partner to afford on a retail wage. Things were tight but they made it work until they couldn’t and as the relationship dissolved so too did Davy’s home security. He would spend the next several weeks hopping around local hostels, commuting to and from work until the cost of his stay outpaced the money coming in. Overwhelmed, he took leave from work and has been living rough through most of 2020; just one of the more than 4,200 people sleeping on the streets of London every night.

The challenges besetting rough sleepers, be it the need for personal safety or disease prevention, are well understood and have been further exacerbated by the outbreak of coronavirus across the UK. Recent research published through WPI economics finds that while rough sleeping throughout London alone has increased by more than 150% since 2010, related funding for homelessness aid has been cut by £1 billion annually (read the WPI 'Home for Good' briefing below).

With millions self-isolating at home, limiting outdoor time and activity, rough sleepers like Davy go without refuge, increasing their risk of exposure to this highly contagious disease. There is also added concern that, as many rough sleepers make periodic use of group homes and community hostels, overcrowding will invariably clash with NHS social distancing guidelines.

As a leading voice for human rights and one of the largest homelessness charities in the UK, St. Mungo’s dedicated volunteer network is working tirelessly to provide safe means of self- isolation and medical care to those in need. At the time of writing, St Mungo’s outreach teams have placed more than 600 individuals into self-isolating spaces, providing a safe and stable foundation from which to explore options for long-term accommodation.

These figures are a testament to the brave men and women at St. Mungo’s who are working around the clock to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. With our support, they can continue to help provide the means necessary to safely house and care for those experiencing homelessness. There is an immediate need to assist individuals in harm’s way, and help them on a path toward permanent housing. The end goal remains the same, by empowering individuals back into a life of dignity and to protect them from harm.

Your support of St. Mungo’s, through Peace Partners’ fundraising appeals not only serves the immediate needs of outreach teams during the crisis, but provides a foundation on which to build a new future.

Read the WPI 'Home for Good' briefing:
wpie-research-summary-briefing.pdf
File Size: 413 kb
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Donate Here to support St Mungos Coronavirus response


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<![CDATA[ The Trussell Trust: Combating the impacts of coronavirus ]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2020 14:30:09 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/the-trussell-trust-combating-the-impacts-of-coronavirus Written by: Sean Morrissey
“I just never thought I’d see something like that here”, he says, “shelves are just naked, you know? Just gone, like they can’t keep up with demand.” He stops. “Never seen anything like it before in my life.”   Mark, Food Bank volunteer

A barman by trade, Mark spends a good deal of his free time walking in nearby Wandle Park and working as a warehouse volunteer for his local Croydon food bank. He sees first-hand the impact of coronavirus on vulnerable people.
These photos, taken at a Lidl in Ireland just hours after the government announced new social restrictions to impede the spread of coronavirus, are indeed shocking – and are indicative of the circumstances being seen across the world. In the UK whole meat freezers were emptied, bread aisles stripped-bare and half-empty boxes of produce were strewn about the floor.
These wide-scale panic purchases, while disturbing, do have a way of settling back into the familiar, and often sooner than later. As the UK settles back into a relatively familiar routine, we are starting to see the ongoing effects of food shortages and panic buying across the UK food bank network. Food banks across the UK have been forced to reconcile their diminishing stock, leaving many to pay for the difference. For example, the North Paddington food bank, whose donation rate is down 25% in the wake of coronavirus, reported spending an additional £200 each week to cover the needs of vulnerable local families.

At a time when millions are self-isolating at home, or otherwise unable to secure the means they need to feed their family, now more than ever we must ensure that food banks across the UK are able to provide a fully reliable service to their clients. With the UK’s largest network of food banks, The Trussell Trust is leading the fight against food scarcity during this delicate period, garnering vital support from local merchants, like minded charities and community leaders.


Thankfully, organisations like Tesco and XTX Markets have pledged generous sums to mitigate the drought in donations, while members of British Gas will be providing door-to-door parcel delivery for vulnerable clients. These are incredible gestures to be sure, but the unprecedented demands that are facing area food banks cannot survive on corporate charity alone.

​Your support of The Trussell Trust, through donations to the Peace Partners fundraising drive extends far beyond the immediate needs of recipients, providing much needed financial support for months to come.
Donate here to support The Trussell Trust’s coronavirus response
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<![CDATA[ Happy 4th Birthday ]]> Sat, 11 Apr 2020 12:07:40 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/happy-4th-birthday
Hope you are safe and well. We have some exciting news to share with you: on 11th April Peace Partners celebrated its fourth year as a charity! It hardly seems possible that we have been operating for four years, nevertheless much has happened and much difference has been made. This time last year we had just announced our National Lottery Community Fund award. Since then we have put the funds to good use towards the Peace Education initiatives we are supporting; our regular fundraising has continued to the benefit of both our humanitarian and peace education causes. To focus on one particular highlight amongst many, on 21st September, International Peace Day, we hosted a 'Practice Peace' forum in Croydon, attended by amongst others the Deputy Mayor and the Imam, which was streamed live over the internet and featured on the day's PeaceCast.tv broadcast.

Preparations for expanding our support of the 
Peace Education Programme have been underway for a while, and although we have had to cancel some events due to the Coronavirus situation, we are already looking at increasing our use of internet based distance forums instead. This past week we have launched fundraising appeals in support of the Trussell Trust food-bank and St Mungo's homelessness emergency responses.Thank you to everyone for your generous support, your collaborations, your interest and for making the last four years Peace Partners such great charity. We are looking forward to an ever more engaged fifth year! Thank you!
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<![CDATA[ Peace Partners COVID-19 crisis statement ]]> Fri, 27 Mar 2020 17:04:27 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/peace-partners-covid-19-crisis-statement
“Offer each other kindness and understanding. This is the time for empathy, clear thinking, and courage.”
                                                   Author and Peace Ambassador,  Prem Rawat


We hope you are keeping well and safe.

The UK government's advice is that the social distancing and other provisions which form part of the Covid-19 Pandemic emergency measures may now last for an extended period. 

In these circumstances Peace Partners has made the decision to postpone all planned events with immediate effect. Whilst this is a big disappointment, the team at Peace Partners wish to support the efforts taking place to protect everyone, and most especially vulnerable groups. We feel it is the wisest, kindest and most conscientious thing to do.

A huge amount of planning, hard work, time, hope and excitement goes into each Peace Partners event and programme - invested by the team, volunteers, our supporters and interested parties.  Like many others the team are shocked that so much has had to change so quickly to respond to the wider wellbeing need, but we are not disheartened.

Much of our planning and work is done remotely, and as such we will still support the wonderful and amazing projects that we invest in as far as is possible, and we will use the forthcoming period to reflect and bring about positive impacts in more immediate ways; we will work on new projects to help make a difference to vulnerable groups in the UK during the pandemic. We will also work on different event themes and make more use of online platforms, including virtual events, webinars, and conference calls, and to continue to tell the story and keep the momentum going. 

You can keep up to date on these activities and new beginnings at:  www.peacepartners.co.uk

If you would like to receive regular eBulletins and news please subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/dqRfNj


Juli Hammersley, on behalf of the Trustees, says “Please stay safe and take care of each other. It is very sad that we are not able to continue with our planned activities but the health, safety and well being of our supporters, community, team and interested people are our priority. Our thoughts go out to all of those who have been affected by this unprecedented situation. The Peace Partners team are looking at ways to offer support and assistance to those in need during this time. We will send you regular updates about these initiatives. Stay positive, stay focused, stay strong. With appreciation and thanks”.

The Peace Partners Team
Latest:

Peace Partners is investigating ways we can help support vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis. We hope to be able to focus on those with immediate food shortages and the homeless. Please look out for a further announcement in the next few days about ways we can help people in need in the UK at this difficult time.


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<![CDATA[ Join Us to Help Make a Difference! ]]> Sun, 23 Feb 2020 16:51:13 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/join-us-to-help-make-a-difference
Peace Partners is a small UK charity with a big vision: global access to clean water, nutritious food and personal peace. Since our formation as a non-profit organisation in 2015 our donors, volunteers and partners have collaborated to resource model humanitarian initiatives, and to promote an innovative approach to peace education.

​We have vacancies for volunteering roles essential to the successful completion of our exciting plans for 2020.

The impact of our efforts - the difference we make - is a tangible improvement in the quality of many peoples lives, here in the UK and throughout the world.
Volunteering with Peace Partners can be a highly rewarding and enjoyable experience, as well as very effective.

​For more information about the initiatives we support please visit the 'Humanitarian' and 'Peace' pages on our website.

Current Vacancies

Partnership Development
​This is the perfect opportunity for a volunteer who is enthusiastic and enjoys creating new connections and developing partnerships, expanding our current partnership base through creating invitations and communications.

Creative Writer
Peace Partners is seeking an enthusiastic Creative Writer to actively assist our developing charity with its external communications. To tell the story about the amazing projects we support and run. We are making a difference!

Volunteer Coordinator
Empathy, interpersonal skills and the ability to seize opportunities and think creatively are important, the key to this volunteer coordinator role is working and interacting with volunteers.

Community Fundraisers
​Work within local communities to raise the profile of The Peace Education Programme and the work of Peace Partners in this field along with our fundraising effort for humanitarian relief and the Food for People initiatives.

Trustee with Fundraising Experience
Champion the Peace Education Programme and the work of Peace Partners in this field along with our fundraising effort for humanitarian relief and the Food for People initiatives.  Join the Board of Trustees and make a difference!

​If you are interested in applying for or learning more about any of these volunteering opportunities please contact us here or by emailing us at [email protected]



#makeadifference 
#bethechange

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Some of the things current volunteers say about volunteering with Peace Partners:

‘Volunteering with Peace Partners is very important to me. It is a way I get to connect with something so important to me ... peace ... in everyone's lives and mine. I truly love the variety, meeting people from all walks of life, and seeing a plan come to fruition’. 

‘Talking and thinking about things are all very well but actions do really speak louder than words, and seeing people come together to share their work and interact with different generations is wonderful’. 

‘The team is SO supportive, people are kind and live their values in the work we all do to bring peace about locally, for ourselves as well as others’.

‘Volunteering for Peace Partners has been one of the best decisions I have made. I've met a group of hard working, inspiring and lovely people, and I am able to use my skills to help a great cause. On top of this the team is patient and understanding about getting work done, deadlines and ideas’. 

‘What Peace Partners do is really change the lives of vulnerable people in our community and even educate me to learn understanding and empathy about people and today's problems. I feel real purpose being part of the team’. 

‘Personally I find the challenge of new projects, working in an effective team, and continuing to learn for as long as I can is a very satisfying and fulfilling way to use my time’. 

‘Peace Partners is a growing and evolving charity with an exciting purpose and a big heart’.

‘I like working for Peace Partners as it is constantly evolving ….. I like the way you have little idea what is coming next; it is both intriguing and fulfilling’.

'I'm so grateful I'm now able to fulfil my desire to help bring peace into people's lives. The work we do is so beneficial to the most vulnerable, who now need our support more than ever it seems. Our initiatives bring real change, it's a wonderful and supportive team and the part I play brings me real gratification'.
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<![CDATA[ Peace Education Programme in Penryn, Cornwall ]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2020 15:26:17 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/peace-education-programme-in-penryn-cornwall
​People interested in the work of Peace Partners may be interested to hear about the Peace Education Programme course being organised by Peace Education Cornwall in Penryn, Cornwall starting on 3rd March.

We are pleased to provide the following information forwarded by Peace Education Cornwall.

Peace Education Programme comes to Falmouth University at the Penryn Campus
​ Starts Tuesday 3rd March 2020
One hour course for 10 weeks - FREE!
About this Event

Discover personal peace and your own resources for living. This course will run every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3rd March 2020, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm

Location: The Daphne Du Maurier, Seminar Room N, Penryn Tremough Campus.

This is a FREE 10 week innovative, self-awareness programme developed by The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF). The course enables you to discover your own innate tools for living. Each week you will be shown a different video on subjects such as Hope, Clarity, Inner Strength, Choice and the possibility of personal peace. Time is provided afterwards for reflection and/or expression. The Peace Education Program is non-religious and non-sectarian, and is a powerful and effective way to awaken an individual's personal understanding of themselves and of life.

For additional information and directions visit the course event page:
Course Information

For information about Peace Education Cornwall visit:
https://m.facebook.com/pepcornwall/


Read a previous news item about their work here:
https://www.peacepartners.co.uk/news/peace-education-in-cornwall


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<![CDATA[ Charity Event for Bedrock Books and Peace Partners ]]> Sat, 15 Feb 2020 20:08:02 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/charity-event-for-bedrock-books-and-peace-partners


CATCH US if you can!
Go-karting for charity
racing day


We have decided to postpone the Go-karting fundraiser, announced in our recent mailing, that was due to take place on Sunday May 10th. This is because the predicted spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus will negatively affect all public events over the coming months.

Once a new date is confirmed we will let you know.


Buckmore Park
Maidstone Rd, Chatham, 
ME5 9QG 

www.buckmore.co.uk
We are pleased to announce a major fundraiser event called CATCH US if you can! This will be an exciting social fun day out for all levels of drivers (16yrs +). Participants will be racing in teams of three in a 90 minute endurance race. But you do not have to be a racing enthusiast to attend, spectators are very much welcome. The ticket price for both drivers and spectators includes a barbecue with vegan and vegetarian options.lick here to edit.
A GREAT DAY OUT supporting humanitarian causes CATCH US if you can! is going to be a great day out with a difference. All profits will go to two organisations, both of which are working to change lives for the better, Bedrock Books & Peace Partners.
Bedrock Books connects people in need, with stories and words for the heart, by giving away books to community care and other support organisations.
Peace Partners promotes peace education within communities, and hosts fundraisers to provide support for humanitarian work and crisis relief around the world.
The Cost
All racers, £120.00 per person, (early bird option up until April 1st is just £99.00 pp) spectators £20.00 per person. ​The barbecue is included in the price.

Book now
If you want to book you can go direct to the Registration site. Or you can find out lots more on www.racefortheheart.net where you can also book. This is going to be the most fun day out of the year, and with racing enthusiasts likely to be booking their places early on, we advise you to book your place now to get your early bird discount.

Sponsor
Can’t make it on the day? Sponsor one or more places to give someone an opportunity to join a team and have a thrilling day. Nominate a team name to get your company noticed.

Queries?
Write to [email protected]  if you have any questions.

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<![CDATA[ Peace Education at Leicester Forest East Community Library ]]> Sat, 15 Feb 2020 15:19:30 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/peace-education-at-leicester-forest-east-community-library
Leicester Forest East (LFE) is a settlement in Leicestershire, England, west of Leicester, straddling the M1 motorway. Leicester Forest East Community Library is community managed, and last year the LFE Library hosted a 10 week Prem Rawat Foundation Peace Education Programme (PEP) course. It was well received by the participants, teachers and therapists, who all said they enjoyed it. 

In the early stages Peace Partners provided advice and support to the volunteer team organising the course, and following its success plans are being made to hold another course in Leicester.
Here are some participants’ comments:
- I understand that moment when the penny drops. Something comes along and makes you smile inwardly
- There’s a lot of truth in what Prem said about not knowing when you’re in a dark place. And then the light comes on
- Everything Prem said resonates with me on a personal and professional level.

Some more comments:
- It’s a beautiful day but you have to be able to see it
- Life is not about pain and suffering
- It’s a relentless choice every day
- I wish I had found this a long time ago
- The PEP was great, I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the forthcoming sessions.

Project Manager Lorraine explained to Peace Partners how the library PEP came together.

Lorraine teaches a weekly yoga class at the library, donating all yoga payments to LFE Community Library funds. During a meeting with the chairperson of the trustees, Lorraine explained about the peace education programme and asked if the library would like to run a PEP, a proposal went before the trustees and it was agreed.  Soon a team of 6 of us were running a 10 week PEP course, Suki and Peter took turns to facilitate, John with expertise in audio visual, Sylvia note taking and refreshments, Jackie helped with contacts and preliminary preparations. Everyone who participated or helped, enjoyed it immensely. This PEP came together with a feeling of ease, goodwill and grace. The whole team was honoured to be a part of it and the joy of running it is a lasting memory.   
For enquiries about a forthcoming Leicester PEP please email:  [email protected].


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<![CDATA[ Celebrating 25 years of the National Lottery: Peace Partners supports ‘Get Creative with Peace’ ]]> Thu, 16 Jan 2020 11:38:28 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/celebrating-25-years-of-the-national-lottery-peace-partners-supports-get-creative-with-peace
Peace Partners​ is the recipient of a ​National Lottery 2019 Community Fund Award​. One of the many​ ​projects it has been able to help support through the award is the ​Get Creative with Peace​ initiative organised in Brixton, south London by Celebrate Life Events​ ​(CLE). CLE host regular cross-community and musical celebration events in London which have a focus on creativity and peace. 
CLE held its initial Get Creative with Peace workshop in April 2019 and you can read about the event on CLE’s website  celebrate-life.co.uk/get-creative-with-peace​.
Following its success a further five of these interactive workshops were hosted during the summer, made possible in part by significant funding from Peace Partners’ Lottery Award.
​The workshop was developed to be used with teenagers, especially in London schools and youth centres, as well as with other community groups and was piloted as a means of introducing people to the internationally acclaimed, Prem Rawat Foundation Peace Education Programme. 
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Each of the five interactive workshops included video clips of peace ambassador Prem Rawat’s simple message, alongside activities, reflection and creative expressions through poetry and art. The guest facilitators were selected especially for the specific audience of each workshop. Overall 137 people attended, and a number of attendees came to several of the workshops.  
That the workshops were a real success can be gauged by some of the comments of the participants themselves:  ‘Absolutely amazing.’ ‘Absolutely brilliant, I loved it.’ 
‘Every human being deserves at least one lesson that shows them they are creative.’ ‘The videos really made me reflect.’ It was ​completely different to anything I’ve been to before.’  ‘It was really freeing, I’m 
leaving really uplifted … so thank you.’

​Roni, one of the CLE organisers said, “Participants and facilitators seemed to really enjoy the message in the video clips and being able to express themselves in a creative way, as did the volunteers!” 
As one of its partners CLE shares with Peace Partners a commitment to help address the problem of youth violence in cities across the UK.  Peace Partners’ Director Juli Hammersley says of the collaboration, “Peace Partners is delighted to support this initiative, which is awakening a real and vibrant hope in the lives of young Londoners and the wider communities of which they are a part.” 
Peace Partners is proud to be a part of the National Lottery 25th anniversary celebrations, and to be able to support a project like​ ​Get Creative with Peace which is making a difference in the lives of young, as well as not so young, Londoners. 
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<![CDATA[ Highlights and Review 2019 ]]> Sat, 14 Dec 2019 16:49:27 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/highlights-and-review-2019 Watch a short video review of Peace Partners highlights of 2019, and read about some of the detail in the report below.
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<![CDATA[ Peace Partners' event to mark the International Day of Peace - a reflection on the success ]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2019 10:22:53 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/peace-partners-event-to-mark-the-international-day-of-peace-a-reflection-on-the-success A live-streamed event held at the newly refurbished Fairfield Halls in Croydon, with attendees such as the Deputy Mayor of Croydon, Maddie Henson and the Imam of Croydon, went down well on the International Day of Peace, 21 September 2019.
The aptly named ‘#practicepeace’ event was filmed by Peace Partners and live-streamed via PeaceCast.tv.  On the day, participants were invited to sign their own pledges for peaceful lives and activity, while Croydon’s Deputy Mayor and the Imam both signed the Bruxelles Declaration Pledge to Peace in order to make Croydon a ‘peace town’.  The Pledge to Peace is coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pledge to Peace and the Percorsi Association, an Italian non-profit organisation committed to bringing the topic of peace to the forefront of public discussion and institutional action.

Many inspirational speakers spoke at ‘#practicepeace’ including Addy Mumumie, CEO and founder-director of Begin2Sports Group Ltd. She spoke about how she came to set up her own sports organisation following her family’s interest in sport, and seeing a gap for young people after coming to the UK. Also ‘Uncle Errol’ McGlashan and Gennoria Miles, both residents of inner London, gave wonderful renditions of their astounding and inspirational poetry.

Other speakers included Ella Matheson of the Tutu Foundation, talking about her campaign for a government Ministry of Peace, which was followed by an encouraging peace mediation for event attendees. Kheron Kenado of the Ubuntu Roundtable project did some interactive activities to help us to get to know each other and break down barriers to communication.  All in all the day was hugely positive and there was a great energy in the room.

CEO of Peace Partners, Juli Hammersley said, “This is the kind of day that inspires all of us, where like-minded individuals come together to celebrate peace in a welcoming space. It is a massive step for Croydon to sign this declaration and has been marked by an enjoyable and memorable event. Hopefully some great connections were made at #practicepeace and we hope to hear more positive steps being taken forward in the name of peace. The fact that our event was live-streamed and people were watching and commenting from Tasmania, for example, is awesome to everyone at Peace Partners and beyond.”

For more information, you can still view the live-streamed event at either PeaceCast.tv or on the Peace Partners YouTube channel.
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<![CDATA[ Thank you for your support towards victims of Hurricane Dorian ]]> Wed, 20 Nov 2019 12:35:26 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/thank-you-for-your-support-towards-victims-of-hurricane-dorian TPRF recently provided $100,000 worth of food, water, medicine and medical care to victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.

The hurricane hit on 24 August 2019 and had sustained winds of 185mph, making it the strongest storm ever to hit the island nation. Over 60 people lost their lives and more than 70,000 were left homeless.

From donations to TPRF, the charity was able to support thousands of survivors with nutritious food, clean water and emergency and ongoing medical care.
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported this campaign and is making a difference to people in need. You can read more about the contributions towards the devastating impact of Hurricane Dorian at TPRF’s website.
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<![CDATA[ Homeless Diamonds magazine article on Peace Education ]]> Sun, 17 Nov 2019 21:03:07 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/st-mungos-homeless-diamonds-magazine-article-on-peace-education St Mungos is a UK homeless persons charity. Homeless Diamonds is an arts magazine published three times a year by people living or working in St Mungos hostels in London. Gennoria Miles, an attendee of the Peace Education Programme course hosted by the charity's Recovery College, contributed this article to the summer 2019 edition of the magazine:
Read the latest copies of the magazine online:
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<![CDATA[ Video from the Waves of Change 'Practice Peace' event on International Peace Day ]]> Sun, 17 Nov 2019 19:27:56 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/video-from-the-waves-of-change-practice-peace-event-on-international-peace-day
Peace Partners in association with Youth Futures and The Tutu Foundation UK
celebrated the 
United Nations International Day of Peace at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon

Watch the first in a series of short videos from the eventa synoptic view of the day's activities: 
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<![CDATA[ The Prem Rawat Foundation article about Practice Peace event ]]> Sun, 17 Nov 2019 19:20:46 GMT https://www.wavesofchange.co.uk/news/the-prem-rawat-foundation-article-about-practice-peace-event The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) has posted an article on their website about the Practice Peace Event we hosted on 21st September, the UN International Day of Peace.
In celebration of the U.N. International Day of Peace on September 21, The Prem Rawat Foundation’s U.K. charity partner, Peace Partners, hosted an event that featured a variety of artists and leaders who explored how the Peace Education Programme can play an innovative role in addressing youth violence and other problems. Read a report below from Peace Partners Director Juli Hammersley about the Waves of Change event, plus watch a video recording of it. Thanks to everyone who made this event a success!

Some 70 people from various backgrounds and organisations attended the Waves of Change forum at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls in South London. The day-long event was hosted by Peace Partners in association with The Tutu Foundation UK and Youth Futures. The aim of the event, as summarised by Dr. Mitesh Desai, the day’s chairperson, was “to reflect on how peace can become a reality for us as individuals, for our families, in our communities, and indeed for countries across the world.” 

Read the rest of the article on the The Prem Rawat Foundation website here.
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