Defeating Narratives of Division: Community Day

Join us for a full day session aspart of our Defeating Narratives of Division training programme for local residents.

You’re invited to attend our Defeating Narratives of Division (community and local residents) training day from 10:30am – 3pm at Blackpool Central Library on Saturday 13 September 2025.

What will I learn?

Over the last 18 months, we’ve seen narratives of division poisoning community relations, escalating to violent conflict on our streets. More and more otherwise decent people seem to be being drawn into blaming ‘minorities’ for problems that they have not caused. It could be someone in your group of friends, your family or your wider circle. Sound familiar?

These sessions will share ways that you can create long term change by developing your confidence and skills so that you can build genuine understanding and lasting connections in your own spaces and communities.

On the day

We’ll:

• Recognise that even good people can sometimes hold problematic views
• Identify the particular frictions between groups within your community and explore interventions to reduce these frictions
• Help to find ways to engage meaningfully with people who have been influenced by toxic narratives
• Identify ways to refocus your community on finding solutions rather than blaming scapegoats
• Strengthen local democracy through building strong inclusive community groups
• Respond effectively when if the far right announce a divisive march or protest in your area

This informal space will allow you to connect with others who feel similar frustrations and are keen to create an environment of understanding and collaboration.

The essentials

• 10:30am – 3pm, Saturday 11 October 2025
• Blackpool Central Library, Queen St, Blackpool FY1 1PX
• Hot drinks and water will be available
• A vegetarian/vegan lunch is provided
• You can tell us about any special or dietary requirements when you book your ticket

Tickets

We ask for a small contribution of £4 to secure your attendance. This will go towards the provision of food/refreshments.

If you’re going to struggle to afford a ticket, please get in touch using the contact button at the bottom of the booking page and we’ll see what we can do to help.

BOOK HERE

Your Training Lead

John Page from the Ella Baker School of Organising has been a long-time organiser in the trade union, anti-racist and community spheres and has worked as a specialist union organiser and as lead organiser at a number of leading anti-racist charities.John has won significant campaigns in the workplace, and has helped organise communities to oppose narratives of division.He is an experienced trainer and has delivered hundreds of on-line and face to face training sessions to the BMA, trade unions, environmental and a variety of voluntary and community sector organisations.

John is co-author (with Jane Holgate) of Changemakers: Radical Strategies for Social Movement Organising.

Background

At a time when our communities face real challenges, unaffordable housing, job insecurity, and public services under strain, it feels as if we are always being encouraged to find a minority community to blame rather than to come together to work towards finding solutions.

These narratives of division are toxic, and in August last year we saw rioting throughout the UK and on our doorstep.At a time of increased insecurity within our communities, narratives of division and hatred are growing, and it is no longer a question of a tiny minority of far-right thugs. Court reports indicate how people who started out as bystanders got caught up in these events and committed crimes that even they found shocking.

Unfortunately, some people believe that desperate times call for desperate measures, and more people within our communities are beginning to believe that upholding human rights, equality, respect for minority opinions and the rule of law is part of the problem.

These training sessions are supported by the Community Cohesion Fund (Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government Community Recovery Fund) administered by Blackpool Council.

The fund was created to support those communities impacted by the public disorder that took place in July/August 2024. It aims to Foster Community Understanding: Promoting a shared understanding of the issues at a community level, developing community cohesion.