Grassroots Organising & Parliamentary Casework
Johnathan Akindutire is the speaker at our upcoming Just Love Politics: In Conversation event this month (14/03, London). He reflects on his journey in politics and community organising:
I am a friend and a product of the Just Love movement. Following a Just Love event at the University of Sussex, I took heed to the call of Faith and Social Justice. I have since completed an LLB in Law with International Relations, the Buxton Leadership Programme, and campaigned for a fairer education system. I've supported faith leaders and MPs in their work in building communities.
On the Buxton Leadership Programme, I joined a diverse, tight-knit community in East London and worked alongside residents to tackle issues of youth safety, loneliness, and deprivation. As part of a Pentecostal church in the area, that shared church space with a local Anglican and Baptist church, we started a listening campaign, which involved door knocking, attending coffee mornings, and having 1-1 conversations with residents. From listening, we started the first Marks Gate Music Festival, Marks Gate Men’s Social Group and moved our Family Fun Day from a local estate to Marks Gate Open Space.
These days, I work as a caseworker for a Member of Parliament. I respond to emails daily from constituents who are experiencing issues with temporary housing, the Home Office and the rising cost of living. Many are being denied access to justice, and delays have meant that their MP is their only resort to finding a resolution to their situation. We continue to do all we can to help constituents.
People often say don’t get involved politics because politicians are all as bad as each other or they say don’t mix faith and politics because one corrupts the other, but I can testify that faith and politics does rebuild local communities and can revive a nation.
Read more about Johnathan's story here at the CTC Blog.
