Nottingham Citizens:

The Pilgrim Church has membership with  ‘Nottingham Citizens’ which is an umbrella group of organisations, churches, faith groups, universities, trade unions and colleges which promote social justice through  community organisation and action. 

‘Nottingham Citizens’ seek to engage these organisations collectively to form a more just civil society. It does this through a methodology of listening campaigns, identifying what people are concerned about in their communities, sharing personal stories publically and then mobilising action for change.  This action could be through negotiating with the change makers, organising protest or bringing those in power and civic leaders to account. 

The ‘Nottingham Citizens’ principle of taking action and addressing the ills of civil society comes from Nehemiah chapter 5 when Nehemiah was angry over the way the Jews were being treated by their fellow countrymen and he brings the leaders together in a public assembly to challenge them over their lack of concern in this issue. 

‘Nottingham Citizens’ have organised assemblies where over a thousand people have participated. This was notable at the Police Crime Commissioner Election in November 2012. ‘Nottingham Citizens’ has several working sub groups which reflect the concerns of the institutions associated with ‘Nottingham Citizens’. These are as follows:

  • Living Wage
  • Social Care and Isolation for the Elderly 
  • Hate Crime
  • Jobs
  • Housing and Homelessness

Some of the notable successes that the Pilgrim Church has contributed to through ‘Nottingham Citizens’ are:

  • A pay rise to £7.45 for a further 900 people at the Nottingham City Council
  • A LIVING WAGE for all directly employed staff:  2,291 people at Nottinghamshire County Council
  • Raised £100K to install 100 CCTV cameras into Nottingham Cabs after we found 696 incidents of racist abuse against just 130 drivers in one week
  • Investment of £36,000 in the Women’s Aid Domestic Violence hotline
  • Largest piece of research on Hate Crime done in Nottingham 
  • Successfully put forward BME candidates for recruitment to the police 

The Pilgrim Church has hosted meetings and actively participates in actions for ‘Nottingham Citizens’ with members being on the leadership group and sub groups. If you would like to get involved on training sessions or community action with ‘Nottingham Citizens’ then please contact Rev Clive Foster at the Pilgrim Church.