Community connecting
At Groundswell, our mission is to build stronger, more resilient communities where people feel supported, connected, and protected from harm. We work to prevent hate, extremism, and polarisation by strengthening the social fabric that holds communities together. We believe lasting social cohesion is created locally, through trusted relationships, shared understanding, and communities that are able to meet people’s social and emotional needs before harm takes root.
We do this by strengthening connections between statutory partners, community organisations, and local residents. By enabling open communication, collaboration, and trust across different groups, we help create local ecosystems that are better equipped to support individuals, address challenges early, and foster a shared sense of belonging.
This is done via our tried and tested FIND-CONNECT-AMPLIFY model, in which we find active peace-building organisations, connect them with residents and local statutory partners and amplify their key messages and efforts.
Read our 2025-26 Impact Report on the work of the Community Connectors here.
Recent projects
Glasgow
Kabaddi Scotland - we have helped to drive huge growth in this ancient South-Asian sport, bringing different communities together to bond and learn about each other.
MYF Football League - through five aside football, we have helped bring youth together to engage in healthy physical activity and productive discussions about social issues.
Commonwealth Celebration Lunch - bringing various communities together to share food, stories and diversity as they commemorate the launch of the Commonwealth Games.
Manchester
Longsight Festival - we helped organise this event which showcased local organisations, offered activities and workshops and offered cultural entertainment.
Talk Time - regular online discussions online with different community organisations from across Manchester, about community safety, to tackle the rise of far-right protests, Islamophobia, racism and hate crimes.
Food Banks - we have been working closely with food banks in the area in order to improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase reach.
Luton
Peace Out Festival - a mental wellbeing community festival to bring together diverse communities and build resilience around mental health.
Knockout Minds - a boxing based emotional resilience programme that brought together diverse groups of men to socialise and address their mental wellbeing.
Comic-con - we supported and featured at Comic-con 2025, where the theme was tackling hate and bringing diverse communities together.
Lewisham
Inclusive football - supporting the start-up of a women's inclusive football league in association with Millwall FC.
Mental wellbeing - set up the first sauna event in Hackney specifically for people of colour.
South East Pride - we supported and helped organise SE Pride which was a family friendly event featuring food, games, live talks and live entertainment.
