A year ago Bishop Alan Williams pledged to support the work of TELCO Citizens UK, which is a people-power alliance of diverse local communities working for the common good, developing local leaders, strengthening local organisations and making a change.

On Monday 23rd January 2023, TELCO Citizens UK and Caritas Diocese of Brentwood collaborated and hosted a student leadership day. Staff and students gathered from the secondary schools of St Bonaventure’s Forest Gate, Palmer Catholic Academy and Holy Family Walthamstow to strategise on the community organising that they will be doing in their schools & local areas.

A huge thank you to the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service for hosting the day at Walsingham House at Abbotswick.

‘Realities are greater than ideas’

The wonderful Sr Josephine from the centre of Theology and Community in East London, quoted Pope Francis as she spoke about how Catholics put their faith into action through organising.

It was also great to have Fr Pascal Uche & St Bonaventure’s very own past pupil Paul Amuzie join us for the day, especially as they both organised together as students with TELCO Citizens UK in the past.

See images of the day below.