National Social Action Directory

Below is the information of national organisations working on social justice issues in Britain:

Friends of the Earth, Environment

Friends of the Earth is a grassroots environmental campaigning community. They have local groups in 350 neighbours across England, Wales and Ireland, which run national and local campaigns to protect the natural world and engage their communities on issues like recycling and conservation. Their network of Climate Action groups also work to make communities more climate friendly, secure Climate Action Plans with local councils and push for urgent government action on the climate crisis.

Greenpeace, Environment

Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. They aim to create a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet that can sustain life for generations to come. To achieve this aim they investigate, document and expose the causes of environmental destruction and work to bring about change by lobbying, consumer pressure and mobilising members of the general public. They also take peaceful direct action to protect the Earth and promote solutions for a green and peaceful future. The have local volunteering groups you can join by visiting their website.

Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN), Environment

The Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) are an action-focused community of young Christians in the UK aged 18-30, choosing to follow Jesus in the pursuit of climate justice. They promote collective rather than individual action, and rely on the gifts and insights that everyone brings. As such, they aim to connect young Christians into an inclusive community engaged with climate justice; to take and facilitate collective action towards climate justice, motivated by faith; and to see themselves and their communities grow in passion and understanding, learning with humility and reflection. To find out more visit The Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) website here.

Trees for Cities, Environment

Tree’s for Cities are the only UK charity working at a national and international scale to improve lives by planting trees in cities. They engage with local communities with the aim of cultivating lasting change in people’s own neighbourhoods – whether it’s revitalising forgotten spaces, creating healthier environments or getting people excited about growing, foraging and eating healthy food. There are lots of ways you can engage in the work of Trees for Cities, whether it is through volunteering, fundraising or becoming part of The Trees for Cities Community Hub. Find more information about volunteering here.

Christian Aid, International Development

Christian Aid are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who seek to eradicate extreme poverty by tackling they root causes and challenging injustice through campaigning and advocacy. Their current campaigns centre on issues such as climate justice, black climate stories and supporting the people of Afghanistan. Click here to get involved in their work.

Global Justice Now, International Development

Global Justice Now is a social justice organisation working within a global movement to create a more just and equal world, by mobilising people in the UK to act for change and stand in solidarity with those fighting injustice, particularly in the global south. The organisation is made up of a network of activists and local groups, challenge corporate power and the policies that cause poverty and inequality all over the world by taking action within their local communities – whether that be through creative street campaigning, lobbying politicians, getting media coverage, or organising local events such as film screenings and talks. To get involved locally click here.

Oxfam, International Development

Oxfam is a global movement of millions of people working together to end poverty. Members support Oxfam through campaigning on issues such as climate change, food rights and redistribution of wealth. To find out how to engage in a campaign group, click here. To find out how to get involved in the Oxfam Student Activist Network, click here.

Labour Behind the Label, International Development

Labour Behind the Label is a campaign that works to improve conditions and empower workers in the global garment industry. They believe that no-one should live in poverty for the price of a cheap t-shirt, and that a living wage and working without fear for your life are basic human rights. They do this in by raising public awareness and promoting collective action from consumers to push for change; by pressuring companies to take responsibility for worker’s rights throughout their supply chains; by working with trade unions worldwide to amplify garment workers’ demands; and by lobbying governments and policy makers to legislate and protect garment workers’ human rights. The overall focus of their work comes from garment workers themselves, and Labour Behind the Label provide a platform to amplify their voice and demands and to promote international solidarity. You can get involved and support the work of Labour Behind the Label in several ways, from attending one of their events, to getting involved in one of their campaign actions, to finding other activists in your local area and getting involved in your own social actions together. To find out more, visit their website.

Anglican Pacifist Fellowship, Peace

The Anglican Pacifist Fellowship is a body of people within the Anglican Communion who reject war as a means of solving international disputes, and believe that peace and justice should be sought through non-violent means. Members share the message of peace in schools and collages through the Peace Education Network, campaign against war and militarism, organise and run events, support the work of non-Christian organisations such as Control Against the Arms Trade and support those working for peace and reconciliation around the world. To find out more, visit their website.

Baptist Peace Fellowship, Peace

The Baptist Peace Fellowship works to provide fellowship for Baptists who believe military force cannot be reconciled with the teaching of Jesus Christ. Their activities include the publication of literature relevant to Baptists and Peacemaking; organising meetings and conferences and talking to church groups; raising issues of peace at the Annual Assembly and the Council of Baptist Union; working in partnership with other Christian peace groups; and encouraging members to attend peace demonstrations and to write to their MPs on issues of peace. To find out more, visit their website.

Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT), Peace

CAAT is a campaign organisation committed to ending the international arms trade. The organisation is made up of a network of local groups and contacts, who play a vital role in spreading the CAAT message and campaigning up and down the country. The priorities of CAAT are to stop the procurement or export of arms where they exacerbate conflict, support oppressive regimes and threaten social welfare; to end political and governmental support for arms exports; and to encourage progressive demilitarisation in arms-producing countries. CAAT also call for a wider security policy that looks at addressing the root-causes of insecurity, such as inequality and climate change. To find out more, visit their website.

The Fellowship of Reconciliation, Peace

The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) is an international movement of people who commit themselves to active nonviolence as a way of life and as a means of personal, social, economic and political transformation. Their current work centres around equipping members to promote nonviolence in their churches, to send the message that Jesus was a radical peacemaker and that Christianity is a faith of nonviolence and love in action. Currently, FoR and its members are active in bearing witness against war and its preparation through the championing of disarmament work, particularly in relation to nuclear weapons and armed drones. To find out if there is a local FoR group in your area, click here. To become a member of FoR visit their membership pages here.

Pax Christi, Peace

Pax Christi is a membership organisation that works for a world in which people can live in peace, without fear of violence of any kind. Their work focuses on the themes of peace, reconciliation and non-violence. They work to promote a culture of peace in schools and among young people, to develop solidarity between people who are using nonviolent methods in the search for justice and peace, and promote an understanding of sustainable security - prioritising the meeting of human needs and the protection of the environment. To this end, members share Pax Christi’s message and resources with parishes, ecumenical peace friends, and other networks, they lobby their MP on issues such as the arms trade and the UK’s nuclear weapon programme, and take part in times of prayer and actions of solidarity. While rooted in Catholic Christianity, Pax Christi is open to all who share its values and work. To find out more, visit their website.

Sabeel-Kairos, Peace

Sabeel-Kairos is a small and energetic advocacy based human rights Christian charity promoting a just peace in Israel and Palestine. They are made up of a networks of individuals, organisations, churches and communities across the UK, who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in partnership with, and by promoting and advocating on, the messages of Kairos Palestine and the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in Jerusalem. Sabeel-Kairos work towards an enduring peace in the several ways. They support the ecumenical, inclusive ministry of Sabeel Jerusalem through our prayerful actions and challenging the misuse of the Bible; support Kairos Palestine through advocacy and awareness-raising; by raising awareness in the UK of the struggle of the Palestinian people, especially the suffering of the Christian community in Palestine and Israel; by promoting International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights; by advocating peaceful resistance for Palestinians and globally; by coordinating activities between friends in the UK, Palestine, Israel and globally. There are a variety of ways in which you can engage in the work of Sabeel-Kairos, whether by becoming part of their Young Advocates Forum for those below the age of 35, or by engaging in one of their many campaigns, or by becoming part of a Sabeel-Kairos community group, which brings local people together campaign, advocate and fundraise for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. To find out more about how to engage in their Young Advocates Forum or to learn more about their campaigns, click here. To find out more about Sabeel-Kairos community groups click here.

Christian CND, Peace

Christian CND is a specialist section of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, who provide a focus for Christians who want to witness on the basis of their faith against nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, while also positively campaigning for peace. Christian CND’s work includes organising conferences and meetings at the local, national and international level, as well as acts of protest, liturgies and services at military bases and government sites. In addition, they engaged in letter writing, lobbying and educating for peace and disarmament, and in some parts of the country they have local groups. To find out how to become a Christian CND member, click here. Alternatively, or to find out about opportunities to become involved in the work of Christian CND, click here.

The Iona Community, Peace

The Iona Community is an international, ecumenical Christian movement that works for justice and peace, the rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship. At the centre of the Iona Community is are the beliefs in the transformational power of community to change lives, that working for justice, peace and an equitable society is a matter of urgency and that we all have a responsibility to live in a right relationship with the whole of God’s creation. The Iona Community meet in small local groups, called Family Groups clustered into Regions, and members are committed to living out the Christian faith in the areas of justice and peace. Members and Associate Members (including Young Adult Group Members) meet together to pray, reflect and support one another through the following Common Concern Networks (CCNs), which include: Environment; Poverty & Inequality; Migration & Refugees; Israel/Palestine; LGBTQ+; Reconciliation, Peace  & Disarmament; and Faith & Spirituality. The Iona Community also has a Young Adults’ Group (YAG) for 18 to 35 year olds with a passion for justice and peace. They follow a Commitment similar to the Members’ Rule, and together explore spirituality and faith, actively campaign for social justice and are committed to the work and ethos of the Iona Community. The group communicates frequently over social media and has monthly online meetings on a variety of topics and there are opportunities for YAG members to volunteer with Iona their islands centres, or join us for a student or youth programme at Camas or at Iona Abbey. It is also free to join the YAG for the first year. To find out more general information about the Iona Community, visit their website. To sign up to be a member, click here (to join the YAG sign-up as an Associate Member and check the YAG button).

The Council of Christians and Jews, Peace

The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) is the leading nationwide forum for Christian-Jewish engagement. Their aim is for Jews and Christians to meet, to understand each other better and to create meaningful engagement between the communities. They have 30 active branches around the UK, complemented by a professional team that run national programmes in education, dialogue and social action - for Rabbis and clergy, community leaders, students, policy makers, CCJ members and those of all faiths and none. Although founded at the height of the Second World War and the Holocaust, the message of CCJ is as relevant today as ever. CCJ call on people of faith to use their diversity to challenge prejudice and persecution together in order to build strong communities that live in dignity, understanding and fellowship. You can support the work of CCJ by becoming a member and joining your own local group. To find out more, visit their website.

The Inter Faith Network, Peace

The Inter Faith Network (IFN) for the UK works to promote understanding, cooperation and good relations between organisations and persons of different faiths. It does this through providing opportunities for linking and sharing of good practice, providing advice and information to help the development of new inter faith initiatives and the strengthening of existing ones. It raises awareness within wider society of the importance of inter faith issues and develops programmes to increase understanding about faith communities, including both their distinctive features and areas of common ground. The Inter Faith Network's member bodies include national faith community representative bodies; national, regional and local inter faith organisations; and academic institutions and bodies concerned with multi faith education. The IFN provides the information you need to find your local Inter Faith Group. Moreover, they also provide volunteering opportunities for those interested in supporting the IFN directly. To find out more, visit their website.

Remembering Srebrenica, Peace

Remembering Srebrenica is committed to using the lessons from Srebrenica Genocide to tackle hatred and intolerance to help to build a better, safer and more cohesive society for everyone. Their vision is a society free from hatred and they have three core objectives. 1) to keep the memory alive by promoting Srebrenica Memorial Day and bringing communities together to remember the victims of Srebrenica. 2) to take UK citizens on their ‘Lessons from Srebrenica’ educational visits programme to learn the lessons from the Bosnian genocide, and to have them take social action to help to build safer, more cohesive communities upon their return. 3) to create Community Champions who pledge to stand up to hatred and intolerance in their communities. There are lots of opportunities to get involved with the work of Remembering Srebrenica, from hosting or attending a community event, to considering being a delegate on one of their ‘Lessons from Srebrenica’ educational visits to Bosnia. To find out about hosting or attending a community event, click here. To find out more about being a delegate on a ‘Lessons From Srebrenica’ educational visits, click here.

Reconcilers Together, Peace

Reconcilers Together is a community of committed peacemakers across the UK, Ireland, and North America. They are people of faith who believe that everyday peacemaking, from a place of our deepest values, can reconcile some of the most sacred relationships between ourselves, the Earth, our faith, and with others. To become a part of this community, individuals take part in the Journey of Hope, a 6 month immersive leadership programme for people of faith to transform themselves and their communities through peacemaking. This spiritual pilgrimage takes place both online and in person, with participants exploring together how to creatively and courageously respond to the fractures of conflict and polarization, cultivating a more relational and resilient society. If you believe we can create a more inclusive way of being and want to be inspired by experienced community leaders, dynamic relationships, and innovative practices - this programme is could be for you. To find out more, visit their website.

Church Action on Poverty, Poverty

Church Action on Poverty is a national ecumenical Christian social justice charity, committed to tackling poverty in the UK. They work in partnership with churches, as well as people in poverty themselves, to tackle the root causes of poverty. Church Action on Poverty is aware that the real experts on poverty are the people with live with it and their work is driven by their insights and experiences – helping to make sure that their voices are heard. A core part of their work is to speak truth to power, campaigning both nationally and locally for polices that will loosen the grip of poverty on people’s lives. You can get involved in Church Action on Poverty’s work in a number of ways, from joining a local group, to taking action by yourself, or using their courses and Bible studies as part of your Groups to get people planning some local actions. You can also use the prayer section of their website to find resources to help you pray about poverty justice. To find out more, visit their website.

The Mix, Mental Wellbeing

The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people below the age of 25. They are there to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drug use. They offer young people the chance to talk to via their online community, on social media, through their free, confidential helpline or their counselling service. Volunteers are all part of The Mix’s mission to do everything they possibly can to support young people. By volunteering at The Mix you can make a direct difference to the lives of young people, whether it’s through peer to peer support via their online community or via the phone. If you’re looking for one off or short-term opportunities, The Mix can also use your ideas to help them develop news tools and services. There are likewise opportunities to support The Mix by getting involved in one of their Events, or fundraising for them. To find out more, visit their website.

Young Minds, Mental Wellbeing

Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. Whether young people need a reassuring conversation, specialist mental health support, or simply the knowledge that they are not alone in how they are feeling, Young Minds will make sure that all young people get support that meets them where they're at as quickly as possible. There are several ways you can become involved in supporting the work on Young Minds, from fundraising, to volunteering, or joining the movement. If you are 25 or younger, you can also support Young Minds by becoming a Young Mind Activist, joining their Youth Panel, or becoming a Young Minds blogger. To find out more, visit their website.

Animal Rebellion, Animal Welfare

Animal Rebellion is a mass movement that uses nonviolent civil disobedience to bring about a transition to a just and sustainable plant-based food system, to halt mass extinction, alleviate the worst effects of climate breakdown and ensure justice for animals. They are a decentralized, global movement for climate and animal justice. There are plenty of campaigns you can engage in via the Animal Rebellion website, along with a quiz you can take to find out what kind of ‘rebel’ you to give you an idea of what team you would fit in best with inside of the movement. Furthermore, Animal Rebellion has opportunities to volunteer or join a local group (currently set up in Essex, Exeter, and Leeds). To find out how to get involved, visit their website.

The Bike Project, Refugees and Asylum Seekers

The Bike Project takes second-hand bikes, fixes them up and donates them to refugees and those seeking asylum in London and Birmingham. The organisation is based on the premise that the UK is expensive, especially when you’re trying to navigate the complex asylum process on just £39.63 a week. At The Bike Project they believe that no one should have to choose between eating a square meal and catching the bus. That’s why they do bikes. There are several ways you can support the Bike Project, from organising a community bike collection, to helping fix up old bike, donating your pre-loved wheels, or simply by fundraising or attending an event. They also offer the chance for you to share your skills with refugees via free virtual lessons. To find out more, visit their website.

UpRising, Education and Youth

UpRising believe that young people are uniquely placed to change the world and that youth leadership can tackle pressing social challenges and encourage positive social change. At the core of their work is the belief that young people have the capacity to be powerful change-makers and influencers and UpRising’s mission is to support them to unlock their potential, which will have positive impacts for society at large. Central to UpRising’s work is also the belief that The UK should have leaders in every sector that reflect the population. Our society should enable social mobility and advance diversity and equality of representation. Young people are at the forefront of change and can achieve great things. From the beginning of their programmes, they encourage young people to reflect on their strengths and develop their skills. Through carefully crafted, tried and tested sessions, they equip young people with the tools they need to achieve their goals. By the end of these programmes, young people are in a better position to fulfil their career aspirations and take on the leadership roles they deserve and jobs that are meaningful to them. There are several ways you can engage in UpRising’s work – from volunteering with them to taking part in one of their programmes if you are below the age of 24.

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Animal Welfare
Student Life
Politics and Economics
Poverty
Refugees & Asylum Seekers
Social Justice
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Peace and Pacifism
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Education & Youth
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