THE CHELMSFORD CITIZENS' PLEDGE

A PLEDGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE FACEBOOK GROUP "CHELMSFORD COMMUNITY KINDNESS" IN JUNE 2020, WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR BEHAVIOUR AND COMMON ACTION FOR YEARS TO COME

1. "I will say hi, smile more, and not sweat the small stuff"

• The serenity prayer

2. "I will appreciate all key workers: All nhs workers but also cleaners, carers, shelf stackers, lorry drivers, recycle technicians... "

• A living wage for key workers

3. "Together, we will connect communities"

• United in Kind

4. "Together, we will sort out parking at Broomfield Hospital"

• We'll link to a campaign when we start one

5. "I will shop more locally"

• Local businesses, as collated by Gemma Beale

6. "We will continue to volunteer"

• Essex Welfare Service
• Cool to be Kind (homelessness)
• Chelmsford Community Transport
• Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau

• Chelmsford Foodbank

7. "We will ask the Council to put in more cycle lanes"

How to take the Chelmsford Citizens' Pledge

We ask that you think about what the pledge will mean to you, and then take an object that symbolises your lockdown experiences (a toilet roll? A book that has come to mean a lot to you in lockdown? A scone that tastes of soap? A picture? Your toddler? Next door's cat?) and, with one hand on the object, say the 7 pledges out loud.

Once you've taken the pledge, do tell us so on Chelmsford Community Kindness Facebook Page. You could just say "I took the pledge", or you could tell us a bit more about what you will do with it, or you could post a picture or video of yourself taking the pledge on your symbolic object.

• Citizens UK

Although the Chelmsford Citizens' Pledge does not belong in any way to the Community Organising group Citizens Essex, it shares some common goals with it. Citizens Essex is the local "chapter" of Citizens UK, the UK's home of community organising.

Although the Chelmsford Citizens' Pledge does not belong in any way to the Community Organising group Citizens Essex, it shares some common goals with it. Citizens Essex is the local "chapter" of Citizens UK, the UK's home of community organising.

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About

In May 2020, Andy Griffiths asked the members of the facebook group "Chelmsford Community Kindness" what stories and local issues they cared about. Multiple stories were told, some silly, some heartbreaking, some inspiring, and members identified over 50 items that could be part of what Andy initially called a PLOC (Pattern of Life for Ordinary Chelmsford). In a complex set of democratic polls reminiscent of a World Cup group system, members voted to reject the pledge title in favour of "Chelmsford Citizens' Pledge", and to opt for the seven elements tht now form the pledge. Over 500 votes were cast, and as Nick Ludwig, Gemma Beales and Andy Griffiths led the process forward, over 200 stories and comments were shared.

Contact

Chelmsford Community Kindness

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• Click here (private facebook group, requires application)