Brighton and Hove Citizens is an alliance of community groups working together to build leadership and relationships across communities in our city. We usually meet in person for public actions for social justice causes - work that now, like so much else in our wonderful city, cannot continue as it has while we together battle Covid-19.

It is key that we stay at home. But staying at home cannot, and should not, mean that we stop relating to each other. Indeed, in times of social isolation it is key that we take extra time and care to reach out beyond our circles to find social commonality and community in our city.

This is why we, as Brighton and Hove Citizens, are running an online campaign through April and May to build community through covid-19. Anyone resident in our city is welcome to participate, and there are a variety of ways you can join in:

Sign up to be called. By sharing your details - which will only be seen by Brighton and Hove Citizens staff and volunteers - you volunteer to be called by a fellow Brightonian. They will call to get to know you, what drives you and what you are passionate about, and to tell you a bit about themselves. You will only be called once.

Sign up to call others. If selected you will receive online training in how to hold meaningful listening conversations. Together with a team of other volunteers you will call others who have signed up, and help build connections and relationships across Brighton.

Join a group. You will be put in touch with a group of 5-10 people from across the city, who will be encouraged to meet virtually every week. These groups will provide social opportunities for anyone in the city to meet and listen to others beyond our own social groups, and provide more in-depth engagement than a phone call would. Please note these will be held on video call.

For more information about Brighton and Hove Citizens, please see citizensuk.org.