The annual Westminster Justice and Peace Study Day took place on Saturday 7th November and was attended by about 75 representatives from parishes across the diocese.
John Hills, Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at the London School of Economics, spoke on the welfare myth of 'them' and 'us', emphasising that the welfare state is something that benefits us all.
From left to right: Barbara Kentish, John Hills, Fr Joe Ryan, Collete Joyce, Helen O'Brien
Helen O'Brien of Caritas Social Action Network spoke on welfare, myths, realities and advocacy. Both speeches are available for you to download using the "related files" links on the right of this page.
Two grassroots activists also shared their experiences: Rev. Paul Nicholson about Taxpayers Against Poverty, and Sheila Gallagher spoke about setting up the New Barnet Foodbank.
In the afternoon, participants could choose to attend workshops run by Housing Justice, London Citizens, Haringey Migrant Support Centre, the London Catholic Worker and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
