Global Crises - the wrong story
The Swords into Ploughshares (SiP) project group of Brighouse West Yorkshire Area Meeting (BWYAM) began in 2020 from a concern of Hebden Bridge Quaker Meeting, which was adopted by BWYAM. Our goal is to help create a peaceful future by
positively dealing with the threats we face, like militarism, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and increasing inequality. Our focus is Story. Why? Human beings make sense of things through story. It helps us connect to the world and each other, maintain
our identity, handle complexity and manage change. Story can be a tool for positive change – but our current dominant story, deeply patterned with conflict and division, is repeating our problems, not the solutions we need. And because this dominant story is largely invisible to us, we don’t really know it’s happening.
For the background to how we got here since the start in 2020, see the full SiP Project History.
For the last four years, we have been working with Sarah Woods on this. Sarah is an award-winning writer, often working for the BBC. She has been involved in many campaigns for social good and regularly teaches and lectures in the UK and beyond. The next phase of this work is for her to write a book that shares alternative ways of working with story, for individuals, groups, campaigners and creatives, to help re-story the world.
Supporting this work
We aim to raise £25,000 by the end of 2026 to commission Sarah to write the book. Anything raised in addition to that figure will go towards creating a website, short videos, workshops and other ways of sharing these insights into how to change the stories that underlie our approach to violence, conflict and war, in keeping with support for our Quaker Peace Testimony. All supporters will be acknowledged in the book unless they prefer not to be. Donations made on behalf of, or in memory of someone will also be acknowledged.
If you wish to discuss your donation or to learn more about the project, please contact the convenor of the SiP group:
sip-project@brighousewestyorkshirequakers.org.uk.
You can make a donation directly to BWYAM via bank transfer. Please put SiP Project as your payment reference. Our bank details are below.
Brighouse West Yorkshire Area Meeting (Qkrs)
Sort Code: 08-92-99
Account No: 65634602
Cheques should be made payable to Brighouse West Yorkshire Area Meeting (Quakers) with a note specifying that the money is for the SiP Project and sent to:
Area Meeting Treasurer
Friends Meeting House
Church Street
Paddock
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD1 4TR
If you are a taxpayer, please consider Gift Aiding your donation by completing this form and sending it to the address above.
You can also donate to Brighouse West Yorkshire Quakers via the Charities Aid Foundation. Please include a note specifying your donations is for the SiP Project.