British Future is proud to be a founding member of /Together, a new coalition that everyone is invited to join. It aims to bring people together and bridge divides, to help build a kinder, closer and more connected society.
/Together launched on 5 July 2020, partnering with the NHS on its birthday to bring over 13 million people together in a moment of connection with neighbours and thanks to all those who are helping us get through these difficult times.
The initiative evolved from conversations across civil society, faith, media, sport and culture into a campaign to heal social divides. A Steering Group, chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury, includes a range of organisations and individuals from the NHS and ITV to the Scouts, Guides, the British Paralympic Association, trade unions and the CBI.
At the end of July we launched Talk/together, the UK’s biggest-ever conversation about what unites and divides us and what could bring us closer together. Coordinated by British Future, Talk/together comprises:
A final report will be published early in 2021, sharing our findings and launching the next phase of /Together’s work. This will shape the next stages of the campaign, from the participatory events people want to see more of, to policy changes needed to achieve /together’s aims.
For more information see www.together.org.uk
Statues and social media were among the key themes raised in Talk/together discussions across the South West of England, writes Jake Puddle.
Jill Rutter reports from our discussions in Scotland as part of the Talk/together project.
Unemployment and integration were top of mind throughout our talk/together discussions with people in the West Midlands, writes Jake Puddle.
New research for Talk/together finds that people value community, neighbours and friends – as well, of course, as the NHS – for helping them through Covid.
Jill Rutter reports from our Talk/together discussions in the North-east of England, where worries about jobs and the economy and distrust of politicians were tempered by community spirit and lockdown stoicism.
COVID-19, food poverty, Brexit and housing were central themes of Talk/together discussions across the East of England, writes Jake Puddle.
Nuanced and balanced Talk/together conversations in the South-East show the value of engaging people in discussions about ‘difficult’ subjects, writes Jill Rutter.
Commemorating Britain’s history can unite our society, according to the new ‘Remember Together’ initiative, launched in an open letter signed by prominent voices from culture, politics, faith, civil society and the military.
Sectarian politics, Brexit uncertainty, COVID-19 and economic worries dominated Talk/Together discussions in Northern Ireland.