What are / were your aims and Any other inspirational stories
expectations of the group?
you would like to share?
Do you feel that you achieved
these?
Many of our group attend the same
church, and I do feel we have made an
impact there. We are recognised as part
of the church and take part in services
and run prayer evenings. We often have
a great response. Now we are looking
to widen our impact in Norwich and the
surrounding area.
What is it like to be in a SPEAK
Group?
SPEAK for me is all about community.
You could be an activist on your own, but it
is so much more enjoyable and motivating
to be part of a group. I have over the
years also made some really good friends
through SPEAK. I once came up with a
plan for SPEAK meetings of "PEA" - pray,
educate, act (very cheesy!) That is what
we do as a SPEAK group.
I always find it inspiring to see where
former SPEAKies are now, and the
amazing work they are doing. Being part
of SPEAK is life-changing: either in day
to day life or in a bigger way!
If people want to join your
SPEAK Group, how can they
find you / do that / what is
expected of them?
norwich
We feel our role is to educate ourselves and
others about current justice campaigns. We
then try to act on these campaigns, often
by lobbying our MPs. Our target audience
is the larger church and therefore our aim
is to ensure that our local churches are
taking action on justice issues.
Initially people can just "like" our Facebook
page, just to see what we get up to and
if they want to become more involved
we meet monthly, on the first Monday of
each month. There is no expectation of
them - you can do as little or as much as
you can/want! For example one member
of our group no longer comes to meetings
but keeps in touch via Facebook and email.
Any final words?
Sometimes it is easier to let the daily grind
get you down - particularly once you have
left university and have to work to make
ends meet, not necessarily in a job you like.
Coming together and exploring issues of
justice and taking them on as a community
is a great antidote and you never know, we
might actually make the world a little
bit of a better place...
What is the craziest thing that
has happened at a SPEAK event
or within your SPEAK Group?
Umm... I have funny stories from over
the years, and have heard some good
stories from old SPEAKies, but for me
I think it was the f