ASF-UK has partnered with Amnesty International UK to deliver a training programme on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights—known as Everyday Rights—in the UK. From November 2024 to February 2025, we co-designed and implemented the pilot Everyday Rights Training for Trainers Programme, aimed at empowering Community-Based Organisations across the UK to advocate for these essential rights.
Why this matters
Everyday Rights encompass fundamental needs such as housing, education, food, healthcare, and social security—rights that many in the UK still struggle to access. By equipping community leaders with advocacy skills, we aim to foster a movement for change, ensuring these vital rights are respected and fulfilled.
Who was involved
Ten organisations from England, Scotland, and Wales were selected to participate in the initial cohort of this pilot programme. Each organisation completed our 9-week training course and is now planning their own actions.
Participating Organisations
The Advocacy Academy
ATD Fourth World UK
Grange Pavilion
Groundswell, Inc.
Maryhill Integration Network
Media Education CIC
Poverty Truth Community
YMCA Lincolnshire
Young Manchester
Thrive Teesside
Participant Feedback
"As a result of the training, across our projects, we are building in raising awareness of some of the tools communities can use to advocate for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Everyday Rights). For us this is increasingly important due to the growing gulf between policy, that sounds great in principle, and actual practice on the ground. This gulf is having a very real impact in creating a further sense of disenfranchisement in communities and it's good to be able to share some positive steps people can take."
Kate Deacon, Director at Media Education
Wider Impact
The organisations are now actively planning their own initiatives. For example, Media Education collaborated with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to enhance vaccination access among prisoners. Focus groups addressed vaccine hesitancy, leading to the creation of informative resources that reinforce health as a fundamental right.
What's next for ASF-UK
Building on our previous work on adequate housing in Johannesburg, we remain committed to championing Everyday Rights and are exploring further partnership opportunities with Amnesty International UK.
