The Great Get Together, an initiative of the Jo Cox Foundation, is an annual event which brings together people from different backgrounds around a common cause in their area showing, in Jo Cox’s words, ‘we have more in common than that which divides us.’
Anything can be a Great Get Together provided that it brings people together in a positive way to celebrate Jo Cox’s #moreincommon message. This year the Great Get Together will be built around the theme of welcome: welcoming all to our communities and making new connections.
Yesterday (Sunday 26 June), myself and the Peel Project held a Great Get Together event in Hull on Peel Street Park. It was a beautiful sunny day and I was so pleased to see lots of people come together to celebrate everyone who makes up Hull’s vibrant community.
There was a football tournament with local young people and free food and drinks provided. I also had a crafting tent set up where children designed bunting with positive messages (with lots of glitter, of course!). We also heard from local faith and community leaders who all spoke to the #moreincommon message, shared local resources and the importance of community.
Over the past few years we’ve seen just how valuable community spirit and resilience is – proving that Jo Cox’s #moreincommon message is more powerful and relevant than ever.
With conflict globally causing so many families to be displaced, this years’ theme of welcome has struck a chord with many. Hull has historically played an important role in offering sanctuary and this continues today. When the conflict in Ukraine started, it was heart-warming to see the outpouring of support from local people and I know that many have already welcomed Ukrainian families into their homes.
I always say that Hull is like a village, where everyone knows each other and is happy to help if you need it. The communities in Hull are brilliant and deserve to be celebrated.
I want to say a huge thank you to the Peel Project for making this event possible, the brilliant local Cllrs for the area Aneesa Akbar and Shane McMurray, and to everyone who attended!