Dressing down to promote peace

Published by Kelly Elliott for Cestria Community Housing in Housing and also in Communities

Staff at a North East housing association are ditching their normal office attire for the day and turning up to work in whatever outfits they like in a bid to raise money for a local charity.

Employees at Cestria Community Housing, in Chester-le-Street, will donate £1 to take part in a ‘dress down day’ tomorrow, with all proceeds donated to Space for Peace.

The organisation works to reduce domestic abuse, bullying and antisocial behaviour across the region, as well as raising awareness of Peace One Day – a annual global day of ceasefire and non-violence held on 21^st September each year.

Cestria’s event has been organised by head of neighbourhoods Margaret Ferguson, who said: “Our work at Cestria is all about supporting the neighbourhoods in which we work so it makes perfect sense for us to team up with Space for Peace, which also works to ensure communities across the North East are safe, peaceful places to live.

“We are encouraging staff to come to work dressed in the clothes or colours that bring them peace, whether it is wellies, slippers or Jimmy Choos, footie shirts, jeans or tartan trews!”

Space for Peace works with partners in social housing, substance misuse, foster care and schools to reduce domestic abuse, bullying and antisocial behaviour in communities across the North East.

Paula McCormack of Space for Peace said: “Our aim is to raise awareness of peace in our local communities and enable individuals in our communities understand the meaning of peace and the impact it can have.

“We are passionate about bringing this awareness to the widest context possible working through the arts, culture, local authorities, public sector, commercial sector, education, health, prisons, entertainment, sport, leisure, social housing and charity and voluntary sectors.”

Peace One Day was established in 1999 and since then has worked with heads of state and other influential people to bring the day into the awareness of the global population. Peace One Day’s goal for 21st September 2012 is to see a 70% reduction in violence globally.