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...
🎶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.
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 😊
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.
💥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
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.
What are you reading today? K is reading about Chile for a book she is writing:
"I am very surprised to find information about my country. There is a full collection of Chile Fights. The time when Pinochet was the president and how my own country became corrupt and the freedom struggle."
"I am very surprised to find information about my country. There is a full collection of Chile Fights. The time when Pinochet was the president and how my own country became corrupt and the freedom struggle."
April 10, 2025 at 10:43 AM
What are you reading today? K is reading about Chile for a book she is writing:
"I am very surprised to find information about my country. There is a full collection of Chile Fights. The time when Pinochet was the president and how my own country became corrupt and the freedom struggle."
"I am very surprised to find information about my country. There is a full collection of Chile Fights. The time when Pinochet was the president and how my own country became corrupt and the freedom struggle."
Join climate activist Ludi and others for our new Reading Group at @peacemuseumuk.bsky.social on 17 April. We'll be talking about how writers over the decades have assessed the success, failures and potential of nonviolent direct action and sharing texts that have inspired us. bit.ly/3RalgTK
April 10, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Join climate activist Ludi and others for our new Reading Group at @peacemuseumuk.bsky.social on 17 April. We'll be talking about how writers over the decades have assessed the success, failures and potential of nonviolent direct action and sharing texts that have inspired us. bit.ly/3RalgTK
We're delighted to be at the Northern Race Equality Conference today. Great conversations, fantastic speakers and a chance to talk to people about Commonweal and the Collection. Thank you to the Race Equality Network and others for organising such an inspiring and thought-provoking event.
April 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
We're delighted to be at the Northern Race Equality Conference today. Great conversations, fantastic speakers and a chance to talk to people about Commonweal and the Collection. Thank you to the Race Equality Network and others for organising such an inspiring and thought-provoking event.
"This book is a must-read for anyone who believes a better world is possible.” A new addition to the Collection, and a timely read for current times.
April 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
"This book is a must-read for anyone who believes a better world is possible.” A new addition to the Collection, and a timely read for current times.
Commonweal Connections yesterday focused on Community of Care: How do we create a community of care within social change movements? We talked about the cycle of despair & action, the need to find people who share your perspective, the need for time out, to get away from it all & for moments of joy.
April 3, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Commonweal Connections yesterday focused on Community of Care: How do we create a community of care within social change movements? We talked about the cycle of despair & action, the need to find people who share your perspective, the need for time out, to get away from it all & for moments of joy.
Exciting to be adding new books to the Collection! These were donated and are now available at Commonweal.
If you have any books you think would enhance the Collection do get in touch. We're especially looking for books on disability rights, and on peace building by authors from the Global South.
If you have any books you think would enhance the Collection do get in touch. We're especially looking for books on disability rights, and on peace building by authors from the Global South.
March 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Exciting to be adding new books to the Collection! These were donated and are now available at Commonweal.
If you have any books you think would enhance the Collection do get in touch. We're especially looking for books on disability rights, and on peace building by authors from the Global South.
If you have any books you think would enhance the Collection do get in touch. We're especially looking for books on disability rights, and on peace building by authors from the Global South.
Wednesday 2nd April - Commonweal Connections: Lunchtime meet-up and Collection open afternoon - Community of Care
Join us to talk about how we create a community of care within social change movements. We'll be exploring grief and fear, and how to not do the work of an oppressive system.
Join us to talk about how we create a community of care within social change movements. We'll be exploring grief and fear, and how to not do the work of an oppressive system.
March 25, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Wednesday 2nd April - Commonweal Connections: Lunchtime meet-up and Collection open afternoon - Community of Care
Join us to talk about how we create a community of care within social change movements. We'll be exploring grief and fear, and how to not do the work of an oppressive system.
Join us to talk about how we create a community of care within social change movements. We'll be exploring grief and fear, and how to not do the work of an oppressive system.