SPEAK Links and SPEAK Groups
Most major UK cities have active SPEAK people seeking to do their thing. Here is a map of all the major places in years gone by (mainly 2000-2019 and some continuing to 2024).
SPEAK groups vary on action themes and how active they are in different seasons. In some seasons the SPEAK link will be very active on a specific theme when we have a clear campaign goal like when we were lobbying for New years resolutions on climate justice in January 2022 or when we looked at debt justice and cost of living crisis in December 2022 and January 2023. In 2023 we were hoping for more action around the September 2023 DSei arms fair (see link) even if people don’t feel able to come to events and do radical actions people try and support the campaign themes in various ways such as letter writing, emailing petitioning and other creative campaigns. Often the SPEAK links will spend time doing an awareness-raising 10-minute talk or creative reflection in their community group, church, or meditation on the arms trade. In that time they may give out information and give time for reflection to engage their community in our campaigns. For more about how to link people engage their communities read here.
SPEAK groups have existed across the UK for over 2 decades (20 years). We have an inspirational collection of stories that can give windows and ideas of possibilities for people thinking of setting up action and prayer groups/ communities today. We have put these in our SPEAK Group Archive section. If you want to contribute with stories or old photos from your SPEAK group in previous years we will be so pleased to hear from you!! Please email admin@speak.org.uk
The Last 5 years
Over the last 5 years, we have taken a more flexible approach of making it possible for SPEAK groups to take whatever form works for them locally but also for BeSpoke groups to link with SPEAK- that is groups under any brand that want to link in with the journey of our network through sharing a significant number of our values.
BeSpoke groups don’t have to call themselves SPEAK groups, (though they can if they like). Essentially, they can call themselves whatever they like and they can link people who share our values and put a lot of time into other groups campaigns or artistic communities.
SPEAK and BeSpoke Groups
SPEAK groups and BeSpoke Groups are groups that collaborate, organize, and work together for social justice locally and network together. Working together building community, mutual support, and sharing resources there is so much more we can do together:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead.
In African society, a person is first and foremost a member of the community and second an individual. A person’s life, therefore, is to be focused on the well-being of the community. This is summed up in one of the most significant African proverbs: ‘I am because we are; we are because I am.‘ “— Joseph G. Healey in Once Upon a Time in Africa
SPEAK GROUPS
SPEAK groups exist to encourage each other in our Christian faith and spur each other on to greater levels of activism. They also aim to be an expression of the Christian community in the campaign scene and seek to share their faith in God. Some SPEAK groups exist as part of Christian Unions or churches, and some exist independently. SPEAK groups are flexible according to what people feel is appropriate in their particular locality. Some are more focused on prayer; others are more focused on campaigning. Some meet once a week, others once a month. All are committed to the core values. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
Find out where your nearest group is and how to get involved
EMAIL admin@speak.org.uk
SPEAK GROUPS-HISTORY ARCHIVE
These are old Facebook pages/websites which you can also message through if you are local. Some of these may need an update so email admin@speak.org.uk if you need help connecting, (please note we now have to observe changes in data protection law).
Lancaster SPEAK Facebook group
Manchester SPEAK Facebook group
Nottingham SPEAK Facebook group
Sheffield University SPEAK Facebook page
Sheffield City SPEAK Facebook group
There are lots of groups which do not have an online presence…
We have a few blogs of stories of SPEAK groups and their journeys over the last 25 years as individuals and groups check out the blog section
If there isn’t a group near you and you’d like to start a new group, please contact us at admin@speak.org.uk