Photo Credit: The Cares Family // Orla and Jean are friends through the work of North London Cares. Orla said: "I phoned Jean and she sounded cut off from the world, so I called over to give a friendly wave through the window and left a (sanitised) book."
Working together to build better connected communities, where everyone feels that they belong.
The Connection Coalition was formed in April 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Anticipating a crisis of disconnection and a worsening epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, the Jo Cox Foundation and other founding members created this network of organisations working to ensure that communities emerged from Covid-19 ready to build and strengthen social relationships.
The network quickly grew and now has around 1000 individual members from around 600 organisations. The Jo Cox Foundation continues to support and organise the network.
In 2022, members decided that - despite eased restrictions on social distancing for many people - the Connection Coalition is needed now as much as it ever was.
What are the aims of the Connection Coalition?
Committed to strengthening human relationships and connections in communities, the network aims to:
- Support organisations that build relationships and connections in their communities. This includes providing spaces for sharing experiences, challenges and ideas. In so doing we aim to increase knowledge, skills, confidence and motivation - with the ultimate aim of improving practice.
- Encourage members to capture and share learning, and build relationships with each other. This is to help us adjust to the collective challenges we face as we tackle loneliness and social isolation, and reduce the associated stigma.
- Influence organisations, funders and the Government to tackle the societal conditions which create and exacerbate loneliness, social isolation and disconnection, and invest financially and in policies which prioritise the power of relationships and connectedness.
Why do we need the Connection Coalition now?
Disconnection, loneliness and social isolation remain the reality for a great many of us. However, the spirit of support that we experienced during the height of the pandemic endures in many neighbourhoods across the country.
For many, this is nothing new. But for some, this is an unfamiliar, yet deep experience of community connectedness. We are seeing that reciprocal relationships build solidarity, belonging and prove that we have more in common than that which divides us.
Who are the members of the Connection Coalition?
Our 1000+ Connection Coalition members are based across the UK, operating locally, regionally and nationally. The majority are staff or volunteers working in small community-based organisations. Over half of member organisations have fewer than 10 staff members and a turnover of less than £250k. Around half of member organisations work specifically to tackle loneliness and social isolation, with many specifically working with older or younger members of the population. Members also work to address issues associated with disconnection, such as mental health problems, domestic violence, digital exclusion, dementia and heritage protection.
What has the Connection Coalition done so far?
Throughout 2020, the Jo Cox Foundation and other members delivered a series of webinars on subjects such as grief, bereavement and loneliness. The network shared news, resources and opportunities through a fortnightly newsletter. And the voices of the members were amplified through responses to a number of Government consultations.
In 2021, a new Connection Coalition Manager was recruited by the Jo Cox Foundation, and the network focused on taking a more collaborative approach. Members had more opportunities to connect and learn from each other, and activities focused on:
- Belonging: Ensuring members feel part of a community, a sense of shared culture and values, and that we're working towards a common goal.
- Networking: Ensuring members have the opportunity to interact with and learn from others who have similar interests, concerns and challenges.
- Advocacy: Ensuring members see actions that support or defend them, promote the value of their work and call for continued investment to decision-makers.
- Solutions: Ensuring members are kept informed of trends, challenges and opportunities which impact them or the sector.
Zoe, Head of Community Programmes (and former Connection Coalition Manager) at the Jo Cox Foundation shared her learning from 2021 here.
“I personally really enjoyed being able to speak to other people working and supporting their communities and actually take some time out to smile about things as we connect. So thank you for that because I hear so many of us say we feel like we have lost ourselves a little at the moment.”
This focus on collaboration continued throughout 2022, and included a moment in the Spring when members were asked whether - with the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic seemingly behind us - it was right to continue the Connection Coalition. Members insisted the network was still needed, especially to support the small, grassroots groups and organisations that are the network's majority.
What is happening now?
The Connection Coalition network continues to support and motivate its members with regular activities alongside more specific opportunities, including:
- Members bring ideas and challenges, and just connect with each other, at regular informal get togethers
- Members convene on specific topics or shared challenges
- Members influence Government policy via the Jo Cox Foundation
- Members receive regular updates on relevant news, resources, events and other opportunities in a fortnightly newsletter
Can I sign up?
If you are an individual working to connect people, or you work for an organisation, charity, group or company (or any other organised entity) and share our belief that our communities are strengthened by strong relationships and connections, we’d love you to join us. In signing up you’ll be part of a growing network of those who share your belief in the power of connection. We look forward to working with you to share, learn, act and connect together.