For the first of our May reflections, we are delighted to share all that is good in the town of Luton. Karen Campbell is the Church Related Community Worker (CRCW) for a Luton charity called Grassroots.* In this reflection, Karen describes what it is like to live and work, in what some have hailed: 'the crappiest town in Britain'.

The town has certainly had some very bad press over the years but Karen is keen to show that the work going on, often behind the scenes, to 'build community' is having some incredibly positive effects.

Karen acknowledges that Luton's reputation has faced many challenges in recent years' and the town has been "...labelled by sections of the media as a hotbed of terrorism" but despite this, Karen wants to highlight just how much there is to celebrate and value in Luton and show just how strong the diverse faith and cultural community partnerships can be: 

"In moments of crisis, Grassroots is still there, and the ongoing work comes into its own: When terrorist atrocities in the UK or around the globe would threaten the stability of local community relationships, or when racist groups target their attentions on Luton, local people – from all faiths and none – stand together in solidarity, vowing 'We will never let evil drive us apart'."

To read Karen's full reflection, click here: Luton... What a Place! Grassroots... What a Team!

Interested to learn more about the ministry of Church Related Community Work? There is plenty of information available to download and view on our web pages but if you would like to know more or discuss training opportunities, for example, do contact us in the CRCW office and we will be keen to advise you: crcw.admin@ur.org.uk or call the main switchboard and ask for our department on: 0207 916 2020.

*Grassroots supports community work in the Beech Hill Bury Park area of Luton through its involvement in a Church Related Community Work project with the Council of Churches in that area (BPBHCC, Luton).