Commonweal Trust
@commonwealuk.bsky.social
Commonweal is an educational organisation which inspires, informs and connects those involved in movements for nonviolent social change through a unique collection of books, pamphlets and journals, alongside events, discussion groups and outreach.
At our Living Library today we had three "books", all people who care passionately about libraries, sharing a personal experience or perspective on what libraries mean to them. Our "readers" all agreed that they were inspired by hearing from the "books". #LivingLibraries
November 13, 2025 at 3:32 PM
At our Living Library today we had three "books", all people who care passionately about libraries, sharing a personal experience or perspective on what libraries mean to them. Our "readers" all agreed that they were inspired by hearing from the "books". #LivingLibraries
Today Emma was at our regular stall at the University, asking students what libraries mean to them. They said:
- A safe space to be able to be able to think and immerse myself with the smell of books.
- Somewhere that is more than just a place for books - a place for reading, chilling and more.
- A safe space to be able to be able to think and immerse myself with the smell of books.
- Somewhere that is more than just a place for books - a place for reading, chilling and more.
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Today Emma was at our regular stall at the University, asking students what libraries mean to them. They said:
- A safe space to be able to be able to think and immerse myself with the smell of books.
- Somewhere that is more than just a place for books - a place for reading, chilling and more.
- A safe space to be able to be able to think and immerse myself with the smell of books.
- Somewhere that is more than just a place for books - a place for reading, chilling and more.
An A to Z of just some of the 1,700 magazines, newsletters, bulletins and journals in the Collection can now be found on the Commonweal website www.commonwealnonviolence.org/periodicals-...
October 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
An A to Z of just some of the 1,700 magazines, newsletters, bulletins and journals in the Collection can now be found on the Commonweal website www.commonwealnonviolence.org/periodicals-...
We danced for a better world! The ceilidh on Sunday was a night of spirited music, community, and dancing. Thank you so much to Ey Up Klezmer for the wonderful music, Fiona for calling the dances, Jack for the sound, the Saltaire Bar for hosting us and everyone who joined in so enthusiastically 💃
October 14, 2025 at 9:15 AM
We danced for a better world! The ceilidh on Sunday was a night of spirited music, community, and dancing. Thank you so much to Ey Up Klezmer for the wonderful music, Fiona for calling the dances, Jack for the sound, the Saltaire Bar for hosting us and everyone who joined in so enthusiastically 💃
💥We're recruiting! The Commonweal Trust is looking for a Collection Development Worker to join our team. More information and how to apply on our website at:
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/come-and-wor...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/come-and-wor...
September 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
💥We're recruiting! The Commonweal Trust is looking for a Collection Development Worker to join our team. More information and how to apply on our website at:
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/come-and-wor...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/come-and-wor...
🎶 Our theme in September has been music - how it acts as a powerful tool by unifying people and building solidarity, helping to raise morale and give a voice to marginalised communities. These are just a few of the many songs that communicate messages of protest, hope & resistance 🎶
bit.ly/470VU3g
bit.ly/470VU3g
Spotify – Web Player
bit.ly
September 30, 2025 at 10:16 AM
🎶 Our theme in September has been music - how it acts as a powerful tool by unifying people and building solidarity, helping to raise morale and give a voice to marginalised communities. These are just a few of the many songs that communicate messages of protest, hope & resistance 🎶
bit.ly/470VU3g
bit.ly/470VU3g
🎶This coming Sunday why not join Commonweal for a workshop on the role of music within social change movements?🎶
As part of HONK! Bradford, a festival of activist and community streetbands there will be a series of FREE workshops open to all. Link for more info and booking in comments below.
As part of HONK! Bradford, a festival of activist and community streetbands there will be a series of FREE workshops open to all. Link for more info and booking in comments below.
September 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
🎶This coming Sunday why not join Commonweal for a workshop on the role of music within social change movements?🎶
As part of HONK! Bradford, a festival of activist and community streetbands there will be a series of FREE workshops open to all. Link for more info and booking in comments below.
As part of HONK! Bradford, a festival of activist and community streetbands there will be a series of FREE workshops open to all. Link for more info and booking in comments below.
In the current political climate, the wealth of wisdom contained in the Collection is needed more than ever.
Our Annual Report reflects a time of global uncertainty, increasing authoritarianism and rising right-wing populist politics, and what we are doing in response.
bit.ly/4608qzR
Our Annual Report reflects a time of global uncertainty, increasing authoritarianism and rising right-wing populist politics, and what we are doing in response.
bit.ly/4608qzR
Commonweal Trust Annual Report 2024 - 2025 - Commonweal
In the current political climate, the wealth of wisdom contained in the Collection (the history, theory and practice of nonviolence) is needed more than ever. I write this Annual Report at a time not ...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org
September 11, 2025 at 9:16 AM
In the current political climate, the wealth of wisdom contained in the Collection is needed more than ever.
Our Annual Report reflects a time of global uncertainty, increasing authoritarianism and rising right-wing populist politics, and what we are doing in response.
bit.ly/4608qzR
Our Annual Report reflects a time of global uncertainty, increasing authoritarianism and rising right-wing populist politics, and what we are doing in response.
bit.ly/4608qzR
Commonweal Ceilidh with the wonderful Ey Up Klezmer!
Sunday 12th October 6.30-10.00pm
Join us at the Saltaire Bar BD18 3HN(formerly the Shipley and District Social Club) for an evening of dancing and a buffet. Help us help activists build a better world!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/commonweal/t...
Sunday 12th October 6.30-10.00pm
Join us at the Saltaire Bar BD18 3HN(formerly the Shipley and District Social Club) for an evening of dancing and a buffet. Help us help activists build a better world!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/commonweal/t...
August 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Commonweal Ceilidh with the wonderful Ey Up Klezmer!
Sunday 12th October 6.30-10.00pm
Join us at the Saltaire Bar BD18 3HN(formerly the Shipley and District Social Club) for an evening of dancing and a buffet. Help us help activists build a better world!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/commonweal/t...
Sunday 12th October 6.30-10.00pm
Join us at the Saltaire Bar BD18 3HN(formerly the Shipley and District Social Club) for an evening of dancing and a buffet. Help us help activists build a better world!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/commonweal/t...
CRAFTIVIST WORKSHOP! Wednesday 13th August 1.00pm - 2.30pm at Room 0.17 in the JB Priestley Library, ground floor, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, BD7 1DP.
Hear about the history of craftivism, how it's a form of activism & have a go at crafting an olive branch as a symbol of peace.
Hear about the history of craftivism, how it's a form of activism & have a go at crafting an olive branch as a symbol of peace.
August 12, 2025 at 2:17 PM
CRAFTIVIST WORKSHOP! Wednesday 13th August 1.00pm - 2.30pm at Room 0.17 in the JB Priestley Library, ground floor, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, BD7 1DP.
Hear about the history of craftivism, how it's a form of activism & have a go at crafting an olive branch as a symbol of peace.
Hear about the history of craftivism, how it's a form of activism & have a go at crafting an olive branch as a symbol of peace.
The old and the new! We have just received a wonderful donation of books about South Asia, pre- and post- independence, along with other books about empire, colonialism and slavery. Thank you so much Barry Pavier.
July 31, 2025 at 10:06 AM
The old and the new! We have just received a wonderful donation of books about South Asia, pre- and post- independence, along with other books about empire, colonialism and slavery. Thank you so much Barry Pavier.
There are so many wonderful pamphlets in the Commonweal Collection, covering a huge range of topics - from student protest to the animal liberation freedom struggle, from anarchists to feminists, from theory to practice. Drop us a message if you would like to help us with our summer stocktake 😊
July 29, 2025 at 11:12 AM
There are so many wonderful pamphlets in the Commonweal Collection, covering a huge range of topics - from student protest to the animal liberation freedom struggle, from anarchists to feminists, from theory to practice. Drop us a message if you would like to help us with our summer stocktake 😊
Collection workdays - this summer! www.tickettailor.com/events/commo...
Select tickets – Collection Workdays – First Floor, JB Priestley Library, ground floor, University of Bradford, Richmond Road
✅ Interested in the history of protest?
✅ Fancy a bit of reminiscing?
✅ Ever fancied being an archivist?
We have four workda...
www.tickettailor.com
July 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Collection workdays - this summer! www.tickettailor.com/events/commo...
Reposted by Commonweal Trust
I've produced a reading guide in collaboration with @commonwealuk.bsky.social on the topic of Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, site of Britain's largest antinuclear protest.
You can find it, and other guides to books about peace activism, here:
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/reading-lists
You can find it, and other guides to books about peace activism, here:
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/reading-lists
Reading lists - Commonweal
With over 14,000 books, pamphlets and journals in the Collection, sometimes it can be hard to know how to start so here are some reading lists to get you started! New lists will be added regularly, so...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org
July 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I've produced a reading guide in collaboration with @commonwealuk.bsky.social on the topic of Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, site of Britain's largest antinuclear protest.
You can find it, and other guides to books about peace activism, here:
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/reading-lists
You can find it, and other guides to books about peace activism, here:
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/reading-lists
When we ask people what gives them the resolve to keep campaigning, people often refer to past protests that succeeded such as the campaign against the Poll Tax - a mass movement that defied the state and won.
This, and many other books about successful campaigns, are available in the Collection💥
This, and many other books about successful campaigns, are available in the Collection💥
July 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
When we ask people what gives them the resolve to keep campaigning, people often refer to past protests that succeeded such as the campaign against the Poll Tax - a mass movement that defied the state and won.
This, and many other books about successful campaigns, are available in the Collection💥
This, and many other books about successful campaigns, are available in the Collection💥
Banner making workshop at Commonweal this morning. Some great ideas for designs and motifs expressing participants' desire for peace and justice across the world. Thank you to the workshop leader Mussarat Rahman, and all the people who came and helped.
#Craftivism #PeaceAndJustice
#Craftivism #PeaceAndJustice
July 8, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Banner making workshop at Commonweal this morning. Some great ideas for designs and motifs expressing participants' desire for peace and justice across the world. Thank you to the workshop leader Mussarat Rahman, and all the people who came and helped.
#Craftivism #PeaceAndJustice
#Craftivism #PeaceAndJustice
So interesting to visit the Working Class Movement Library in Salford, a radical library enabling working class people to learn from and interpret their history so they can apply a class perspective to contemporary politics and economics. Looking forward to future collaborations!
July 3, 2025 at 8:50 AM
So interesting to visit the Working Class Movement Library in Salford, a radical library enabling working class people to learn from and interpret their history so they can apply a class perspective to contemporary politics and economics. Looking forward to future collaborations!
Lovely to have Bridget Sojourner visit Commonweal today. Bridget was a Peace Studies student in Bradford in the 1980s when she was a regular protestor at Menwith Hill US Air Base. She was delighted to know that there are still regular protests happening at the US base.
June 25, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Lovely to have Bridget Sojourner visit Commonweal today. Bridget was a Peace Studies student in Bradford in the 1980s when she was a regular protestor at Menwith Hill US Air Base. She was delighted to know that there are still regular protests happening at the US base.
Read about how stories and poems in the Commonweal Collection address the barriers to peace and the denial processes in which we engage in a world filled with war, and help us navigate a world in conflict in this blog by volunteer Josie Mulligan.
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/talkin...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/talkin...
Talking of the danger: How poetry and storytelling help us navigate a world in conflict. - Commonweal
A playwright sets out to discover the reasons for nuclear armament, a former army nurse rallies against business as usual, the poet and activist Adrienne Rich reminds us that we are responsible for ou...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org
June 18, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Read about how stories and poems in the Commonweal Collection address the barriers to peace and the denial processes in which we engage in a world filled with war, and help us navigate a world in conflict in this blog by volunteer Josie Mulligan.
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/talkin...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/talkin...
💥New shelving being installed as the Collection continues to grow. Thank you to our wonderful colleagues at the JB Priestley Library for your help to make this happen.
June 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
💥New shelving being installed as the Collection continues to grow. Thank you to our wonderful colleagues at the JB Priestley Library for your help to make this happen.
💥Opportunity💥
Commonweal are looking for new Trustees who share our values and who are interested in the power of peace and nonviolence to change our world for the better.
Fins out more: www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/become...
#SocialChange #Peace #Commonweal
Commonweal are looking for new Trustees who share our values and who are interested in the power of peace and nonviolence to change our world for the better.
Fins out more: www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/become...
#SocialChange #Peace #Commonweal
May 1, 2025 at 12:39 PM
💥Opportunity💥
Commonweal are looking for new Trustees who share our values and who are interested in the power of peace and nonviolence to change our world for the better.
Fins out more: www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/become...
#SocialChange #Peace #Commonweal
Commonweal are looking for new Trustees who share our values and who are interested in the power of peace and nonviolence to change our world for the better.
Fins out more: www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/become...
#SocialChange #Peace #Commonweal
Commonweal recently held its first nonviolent direct action reading group at The Peace Museum. Read the brilliant blog by Ludi Simpson, activist & group participant summarising session one. Can books inspire or just inform? Let us know your thoughts.
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/what-r...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/what-r...
What readings have inspired you? - Commonweal
For the first session of the Commonweal Nonviolent Direct Action monthly reading group, we were asked "What readings have inspired you?". Can reading a book or a blog or a speech be inspiring? “No! Re...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org
April 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Commonweal recently held its first nonviolent direct action reading group at The Peace Museum. Read the brilliant blog by Ludi Simpson, activist & group participant summarising session one. Can books inspire or just inform? Let us know your thoughts.
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/what-r...
www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/what-r...
The conflict in the DRC is long running and complex.
Join Bradford Congo Campaign and the Peace Society this Wednesday to find out more about the challenges faced during decades of war.
And if you would like to read about the history of the conflict, do get in touch 📚
Join Bradford Congo Campaign and the Peace Society this Wednesday to find out more about the challenges faced during decades of war.
And if you would like to read about the history of the conflict, do get in touch 📚
April 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
The conflict in the DRC is long running and complex.
Join Bradford Congo Campaign and the Peace Society this Wednesday to find out more about the challenges faced during decades of war.
And if you would like to read about the history of the conflict, do get in touch 📚
Join Bradford Congo Campaign and the Peace Society this Wednesday to find out more about the challenges faced during decades of war.
And if you would like to read about the history of the conflict, do get in touch 📚
In the Leeds Sanctuary podcast Outreach Worker Emma talks about the Bristol bus boycott in response to black and brown people not being employed by the Bristol omnibus company.
Read more about the boycott in Memoirs of a Black Englishman by Paul Stephenson, available to borrow from the Collection.
Read more about the boycott in Memoirs of a Black Englishman by Paul Stephenson, available to borrow from the Collection.
April 24, 2025 at 9:08 AM
In the Leeds Sanctuary podcast Outreach Worker Emma talks about the Bristol bus boycott in response to black and brown people not being employed by the Bristol omnibus company.
Read more about the boycott in Memoirs of a Black Englishman by Paul Stephenson, available to borrow from the Collection.
Read more about the boycott in Memoirs of a Black Englishman by Paul Stephenson, available to borrow from the Collection.
💥How have activists stood up to power and won?
Listen to Outreach Worker Emma talking about the campaigns that have inspired her in her activist journey in this new podcast from Leeds Sanctuary.
soundcloud.com/leedssanctua...
Listen to Outreach Worker Emma talking about the campaigns that have inspired her in her activist journey in this new podcast from Leeds Sanctuary.
soundcloud.com/leedssanctua...
Justice - The Commonweal Trust
HOW HAVE NON-VIOLENT ACTIVISTS STOOD UP TO POWER, AND WON?
In this episode of The Leeds Sanctuary Podcast, Emma speaks to Emma Goodway of The Commonweal Trust, a charity sharing a collection of prin
soundcloud.com
April 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
💥How have activists stood up to power and won?
Listen to Outreach Worker Emma talking about the campaigns that have inspired her in her activist journey in this new podcast from Leeds Sanctuary.
soundcloud.com/leedssanctua...
Listen to Outreach Worker Emma talking about the campaigns that have inspired her in her activist journey in this new podcast from Leeds Sanctuary.
soundcloud.com/leedssanctua...