• A petition for the preservation of the Manchester International Society
    The University of Manchester has one of the largest international student communities in the UK. The International Society, previously housed in the beautiful and spacious William Kay House on Oxford Road, where it hosted events and activities for the international community, has long been a major part of the student experience in Manchester for many international students. In 2016, the University reviewed its support for international students and concluded its preferred strategy is to fund only one organisation to support its many international students. Consequently, it decided that, from 31 July 2019 onwards, direct University funding of the International Society will stop and be diverted to the Student Union instead. As a result, the Society has had to vacate its previous premises and has relocated to the Student Union building, and the Society’s Small World Café, one of the main meeting points for Manchester’s international community, had to be closed. For the time being, it seems the Society will remain a separate charity entity operating from the Student Union premises. However, given the limited space allocated in the Union building and the future uncertainty, this petition calls on all individuals who have enjoyed and benefitted from the programmes of the International Society, to highlight the importance of the existence of an independent International Society for our university community and international community. This petition thus seeks to draw attention to the University management board, and calls for the guaranteed continuation of all the long-running events and activities that the International Society has been able to host throughout its years, which have been a major part of the student experience in Manchester for many international students, including myself. In my personal experience, as an international student, half-German and half-Japanese, born in the UK but raised in various countries, the International Society acted as a home-away-from-home, as it provided a warm and welcoming space for international and British students and staff, as well as members of the local community, to come together and connect with people from every corner of the world. Popping in to meet familiar or new faces, to have a coffee, to play piano, or to work on language skills– the International Society always provided a welcoming and inspiring cross-cultural atmosphere none of the single-country Student Union societies were able to offer. Besides the many language classes, trips, cultural workshops and families groups the Society has been hosting for years, exemplary of this was the "International 16" project which I was predominantly involved in during my past 3 years at our university. It included a series of events to encourage students, staff and all community members to come together in a welcoming place to meet new people and learn about different cultures through cuisine and activities, thereby enriching our cultural awareness and appreciation. Previously supported by all three universities in Manchester (UoM, MMU and the University of Salford), through these activities and events, the Society has thus been positively contributing to community cohesion, and has celebrated cultural diversity since 1966. Run by international staff and volunteers themselves, the Society does an outstanding job at understanding and meeting the needs and wishes of our university’s international community, and as an international student far away from home, it is beautiful to see an entire entity dedicated to the wellbeing of internationals as its top priority and purpose. To sum up, looking back on the International Society as one of the fondest university experiences for many, including myself, this petition strives to ensure that future students, as well as the wider (international) community of The University of Manchester, will be able to continue to enjoy the International Society too.
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    Created by Aya Wietzorrek
  • Save our Librarians* - No Closure by Stealth
    Having been reassured during July, when the leader of Essex County Council, David Finch, publicly announced that no libraries would close in the next 5 years, the truth came out at the Cabinet meeting. We now know that Essex County Council wants its libraries to be run by volunteers in community buildings. They have asked for groups to put in expressions of interest in running the libraries and have promised the miserly sum of £18,000 over 3 years to resource them. So dedicated library buildings will go, as will the store of books, computers, resources and trained staff. In will come well meaning volunteers working from a shared venue, where there will be no computers and books will need to be packed away at the end of the session. Librarians presently employed by the council, will either be redeployed or lose their jobs. Of the libraries threatened with closure, we know that some 80 groups have expressed an interest in running them. These are developers, parish councils, churches etc, but ALL will be run by volunteers in a non dedicated building. Very little funding will be available with just 250 books per community library, changed every 12 weeks and the hours of opening will be dictated by whenever the community building and volunteers are available. However good the volunteers are they cannot replicate the skill, expertise and professionalism of the present paid library staff. So we ask you to sign our petition to Save our Librarians and ensure that Essex County Council continues to provide the library service which it is legally obliged to. Essex needs fully staffed libraries. The people of Essex have and continue to pay for this service. They deserve a properly funded, properly resourced and properly staffed local library. You can find out more here: https://38d.gs/essex-libraries https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurLibrariesEssex/
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    Created by Bry Mogridge
  • Sacking of off duty coastguards
    A large organisation taking this action against worthwhile thoughtful and brave men while doing a car rescue in their own time is unforgiveable and stupid
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    Created by Liam Duncan
  • Stop the Nuclear Laundry Being Trucked Out of Sellafield
    Allerdale Borough Council is considering giving retrospective planning to a private nuclear laundry washing up to 7.75 tonnes of Sellafield's dirty washing a day. The Ltd. company has no planning permission but was rewarded a radioactive substances permit from the Environment Agency (following a one month consultation which no one knew about) for every radioactive isotope you can think of and then some. Sellafield has its own dedicated supply of top quality fresh water but it is now using the public water supply to wash nuclear laundry. The nuclear laundry (Energy Coast Laundry) is 16 miles away from the Sellafield site at Lillyhall Business Park, near a college, play facilities for young children and food outlets. Companies House list the laundry as "Washing and (dry)cleaning of textile and fur products." The Company themselves have a crib sheet for prospective employees which states: "“Energy Coast Laundry Ltd is the Nuclear Professional arm and sister company to the Shortridge Group, owned and governed by the same directors but with a particular focus on Nuclear Industry Workwear and the cleaning and presentation of these products to and for our customer Mitie. We deal with six types of article or garment. These are towels, socks, pants, vests, shirts and trousers. We pick up two vehicle loads from Sellafield daily and turnaround the loads within twenty-four hours. Our core working hours are from 0500 to 1700 daily this does flex depending on the business needs. We produce over 6 tonnes a day on normal operation our production record is 7.75 tonnes in a day with equated to 775 10kg bags of clean processed laundry.” This is outrageous.
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    Created by Marianne Birkby
  • Give youth services the funding they need
    Youth violence and child criminal exploitation in the UK are at an all time high, and the government aren’t doing enough to prevent it. In the past 5 years, knife crime has increased by 71%, and the number of young people who lost their lives to violence rose by 45% from 2017-2018. And because of massive cuts to funding for youth programs and services, the criminal exploitation of children has sky-rocketed. If the government wants to protect young people in the UK from violence and exploitation, they need to fund youth services that can intervene early in young people’s lives, making sure they have safe places to go to and trusted adults to help them and protect them from harm. I started this petition because I have children myself, and I want the government to do more to give them opportunities, and keep them safe. Please sign and share.
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    Created by Kimberley Butterley
  • Keep the Romsey Parklet on Mill Road!
    The temporary closure of Mill Road railway bridge has shown us a glimpse of how the area could be. The street has been transformed from a traffic-logged vector into a place for eating, drinking, and community activities. Cycling and walking, have become safer, and sitting outside a cafe or restaurant no longer means breathing endless exhaust fumes. The Parklet is the first foray into a long list of physical changes to Mill Road that could permanently transform it into one of Cambridge's best urban outdoor spaces. Since construction, it has been almost permanently filled by those adding custom to local businesses, or just stopping by to relax and chat on a sunny summer evening. Just as local businesses are realising the potential of such quickly erected street furniture - the primary concern now being that they want it in front of their shop front instead - it would be a huge lost opportunity to rip it out again. Obviously, the closure of Mill Road bridge to motor traffic and the resulting serene street environment has helped the Parklet's success. But an extension past the bridge closure would allow a test of the concept on an open street. If traffic can still be discouraged from Mill Road by one or multiple Parklets whilst the road is open, then we can begin to analyse the impact on the surrounding road network, and on Mill Road itself. In summary - keep the Parklet, even for just a few more months. It's good for the community, it's good for businesses, and it's the first step to transforming Mill Road from traffic-logged vector, to a clean and vibrant public space.
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    Created by Finlay Knops-Mckim
  • Save our police station
    Because Darlaston desperately needs a local police force
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    Created by Karl Lewis
  • Make the Hungerford-Grafton A338 safer
    There has just been yet another (fatal) accident at a junction on this stretch of road (the Sanham Green turning). This road, which many drivers and bikers treat as a 'racetrack' owing to its elevated position and the illusion of it offering a 'clear stretch' with no settlements, is in fact often narrow, winding, with hidden dips, and MANY concealed driveways and junctions, which have been the site of numerous accidents over the years. The Sanham Green junction, and the Bedwyn-Shalbourne and Bedwyn-Oxenwood crossing points, are notoriously difficult junctions which even locals find unsettling due to the speed of traffic approaching on the main road (often in excess of 60mph).
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    Created by Abigail Gayer Picture
  • Save Clarendon College Nottingham
    Clarendon College is a Nottingham landmark and part of the fabric of society that is Nottingham and a major part of the community. Nottingham College is closing 3 of its sites and building one in the centre of town. We think the Clarendon site is worth saving. It is a safe place for students to study while not having to go to the city centre. It has adequate disabled parking for students and staff plus a nursery for the children of people who want to get back into education and who would not be able to study without it. This in turn encourages social mobility and supports our children to fulfil their potential. It is connected by tram, bus and car which is essential for some of our students and staff with disabilites. Please sign this petition to save Clarendon College, support the future of Nottiingham and give our children the opportunity to study at Clarendon.
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    Created by Dawn Adams
  • Save the Cox's Walk Footbridge Oak Trees
    **4 July 2022** Exciting moment: Southwark Council will reveal its new repair design that saves the oaks at online meeting on 14th July. Scroll down to the Updates section for more details. These two, hundred-year old oak trees stand on each side of the west end of Cox's Walk Footbridge, Sydenham Hill Woods. They are like sentinels, welcoming and guarding the bridge, and their magnificent canopy dapples the bridge in green shade. But these trees are due to be felled this autumn, just to make life easy for Southwark Council when they carry out repairs to the footbridge. That would be a loss of hundreds of years of life for these beautiful, healthy oaks and the life they support. • Southwark Council is trying to blame these trees for damage to the bridge but the engineer’s assessment states it is lateral pressure from the soil on both sides of the bridge that is the problem. • There has been some damage to the brickwork by roots, but ivy roots not oak roots. • The abutment walls that need repair were rebuilt in the 1980s (exact date unknown) without needing to remove the trees, so we know it can be done. • No assessment appears to have been done of the impact on the stability of the slope and the water table removal of these trees will have. • Oak trees have a rich biodiversity, supporting hundreds of insect species, birds, fungi, mosses and lichens.
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  • Stop Killing Our Town Centre
    Lowestoft is losing shops in its town centre almost weekly. The latest announcement that Tesco is to close its store in London Road North is the last straw. Although the Tesco store closure may be part of a national strategic re-think by Tesco, we know that town centres and high streets up and down the country are having to deal with competition from out-of-town retail parks and online retailers. We also know that footfall in Lowestoft town centre is discouraged by high business rates and the cost of town centre parking. These issues are compounded by cynical leasing practices: as leases come up for renewal, property owners frequently raise the rents making the businesses unsustainable. Property owners are often living in other towns or countries and have no interest or stake in local communities: basically, they are speculators. On top of all this, seaside towns and former fishing ports like Lowestoft are struggling to replace lost industry and livelihoods. People who don't drive are finding it harder and harder to shop. People with disabilities, older people and families are particularly affected by shop closures, especially those on low incomes. Not everyone has access to the Internet, and many of those who do still prefer to shop in store, for the social interaction and company that it gives them. Loneliness is recognised as a significant social problem for many people: especially the elderly and those with mental health issues. Access to local shops helps to combat the isolation of vulnerable people. Lowestoft Town Council, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council have all backed 'Climate Emergency' motions. This means in part encouraging people to walk, cycle and use public transport rather than drive. Retail parks are aimed at car drivers and they do little to build and support a sense of community. Lowestoft now has several retail parks. Town centres are a community link. A vibrant town centre is necessary for the economic regeneration of this town. But it is more than that: it should act as a hub for our community, something that we can build out from, and build a future on.
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    Created by Wendy Brooks
  • Let's improve Birstall's health and wellbeing!
    There are currently no publicly funded facilities to aid health and wellbeing in Birstall. The public parks have limited uses that appeal to a minority of people. The swimming pool that was around fifty years old was closed down years ago. Compared to other areas of Charnwood, Birstall has very little to offer residents to improve their health and fitness, despite it being well documented that physical health improves mental wellbeing and can increase life expectancy. The areas of Syston and Thurmaston have easy access to South Charnwood Leisure Centre. In Rothley, Mountsorrel and Quorn they have Soar Valley Leisure Centre whilst the residents of Loughborough and surrounding villages (including Quorn) have access to Loughborough Leisure Centre. See below to see the facilities enjoyed by residents elsewhere in Charnwood! https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/leisure The picture above is the pool at Syston. There is nothing of this calibre for Birstall residents, despite Birstall housing nearly as many people as Syston, and being in the top ten highest contributing villages in Council Tax revenue out of 34 areas, see: https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/files/documents/council_tax_bands_for_2019_20/Council%20tax%20bands%20for%202019-20.pdf Birstall has seen substantial growth with increased housing, which has increased traffic flow. The introduction of the Park and Ride and the A46 have also added to the volume of traffic. Subsequently Birstall has suffered the loss of green land and a gradual deterioration in the facilities available to local people. Birstall folk have received nothing by way of compensation for the expansion their village has suffered. Birstall residents call for a new Leisure Centre to be built with facilities comparative to those elsewhere in the borough. A suitable and central location should be found without the loss of further green field. The facilities and amenities available in Birstall fall far short of those available in other, similar sized areas of Charnwood. Thank you! Now please see two other important matters for Birstall and its residents. 1) Improvement to the area overall, please see petition: Let's make Birstall beautiful again! and 2) Reduce speed limit on A6/Loughborough Road to 30mph, see petition: Let's make Birstall Safer! Thank you, now please share with your family and friends. Because Birstall matters!
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    Created by Birstall Matters Picture