Quakers have been called "practical mystics" because of our combining deep mystical insights with direct social action
Please see our Peace and Social Witness News page for news of specific projects and actions
Climate vigils at the Senedd
Members of the South Wales Quakers Environment and Sustainability Cluster hold a regular monthly silent vigil outside the Senedd in Cardiff to focus attention on the Climate Emergency and our commitment to a range of environmental issues. See our Events page (click on environment to see just environment themed events)
Peace
Peace education in schools
Quakers across South Wales have been engaged in peace education work. We support and work with Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA) in its peace schools scheme. Britain Yearly Meeting also supports and encourages peace education.
Alternatives to violence project
Quakers in South Wales have a long history of support for the Alternatives to Violence Project.
AVP Britain runs workshops, online and face to face, for anyone in the community and in prisons who wants to find ways of building better relationships and dealing with conflict positively. Participants can either join one of our community workshops, or we can organise bespoke group workshops in partnership with organisations/community groups.
Support for refugees and asylum seekers
The Swansea Meeting is working with Women4Resources to enable refugees and asylum seekers to grow fruit and vegetable in the Meeting House garden.
The four West Wales Meetings have formed Quakers in West Wales Asylum Concern (QWWAC) because of the use of Penally Army Camp to house asylum seekers. They were able to give some support to the men and arranged a day out for them at a smallholding. They also supported the exhibition of paintings produced by the men. Members have provided support for Syrian and Ukrainian refugees in South West Wales.
Friends of Monze
Friends of Monze is celebrating more than 10 years of great achievements
Over 3,000 children are being educated in 13 safe, dry schools and building has started at 1 more school. We have also built 10 houses for qualified teachers. With literacy levels low we are working to equip schools with enough reading and text books, desks and solar powered laptops. We have provided sports equipment and drums. To improve nutrition for children and communities we have established 10 school gardens providing vegetables and fruit. By teaching permaculture gardening we have enabled communities to grow food crops in a sustainable manner using natural fertiliser and water harvesting. By planting trees at schools and Monze Correctional Facility we hope to reduce the effect of climate change.
Drilling or repairing 28 boreholes providing clean drinking water has prevented illness at schools and nearby households. We also teach hand-washing and soap-making.
Human rights and menstrual hygiene is taught in schools and communities to prevent early forced marriage and improve girls future life chances.
Chaplaincy in prisons, in hospitals and with the blue light services
South Wales Area Meeting has a team of chaplains who work in every one of the four prisons and remand units across South Wales. The welfare of prisoners has been a Quaker concern since the early nineteenth century.
In recent years we have Quakers working as Hospital Chaplains.
We have also have Quakers working as chaplains to the blue light services, particularly the police.
Chaplaincy is about being there for people, being a listening heart, witnessing people at times of stress and change and helping them find comfort, advice and support.
Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel
Quakers in South Wales have taken part in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel; an international, ecumenical programme that recruits and despatches observers (known as Ecumenical Accompaniers - EAs) to several Palestinian towns and villages to monitor the interaction between the Palestinian inhabitants and the Israeli military. The presence of EAs is intended to offer protection and to moderate friction. Abuses of authority are monitored and reported and EAs speak publicly of their experiences. The EAPPI was founded in 2002 under the auspices of the World Council of Churches, in response to requests from Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land is also one of the founders.
Accompaniers have four stated tasks: to offer protection through nonviolent presence; to monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law; to support Israeli and Palestinian peace activists; to undertake advocacy work including public speaking.
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Banner/top image is from the Remembering Hiroshima event organised by Pembrokeshire Peace Group and local Quakers in Hwlffordd ~ Haverfordwest