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ZINE CONTENT -PLAIN TEXT VERSION
Cover
Put the kettle on
We Are Camerados
The Movements Mug-a-zine
Still fresher than your Grandma’s memes (and she sent us three this morning)
Makes a good coaster or a not-so-good tortilla.
NEWS
STORIES
‘OH CRUMBS’
PUBLIC LIVING ROOM SPOTLIGHT
Totally fuelled by tea, good company, and some loose change we found down the back of
the sofa.
News
A note from the editor
Our first-ever digital zine… will you print it out? Will you share it? Will you remember
to wear your anti-glare glasses when viewing online?
As much as we loved prepping this for the printer, it’s now up to you, folks, to find ways to
share the movement’s news, be that digitally or by printing and sharing. Whatever you
choose to do and however you choose to share, we’re just glad you’ve been part of it.
Winter can be a funny old season: short days, long nights, too much darkness and not
enough company for some. We Camerados don’t do things on our own, and the movement
has been super busy coming together as always. So read on and let the stories of our
movement add a little warmth to your winter days.
As always, if you want to contribute to the next edition, just get in touch with
victoria@camerados.org.
Paddington
Don’t under-estimate the power of Can-Do people who say Yes and who encourage! Today’s
shout-out is to the wonderful people at Paddington Square who work for Knight Frank
Promises, who let us plonk a Public Living Room right outside the tube station last Friday on
World Mental Health Day. Tons of bemused commuters and fascinated faces walked by. We
met…….Fanny from Dominican Republic who gets up 4 am and cleans toilets for a living and who
lent us her Bluetooth speaker and was dancing and saying “Come on in Chica!” to every
passer by; Michael from Shenzhen, China who told us the public living room helped his
confidence today, it’s his first time in UK to meet his business client (after 10 years of
knowing them just online!); Olga from Ukraine, feeling guilty about having a good life here
studying graphic design, but making her family very proud – she rocked a fab look and
enormous Harry Potter suitcase. Many others, too, but it’s incredible how international those
who stopped a while were.
Thanks to Siobhan for making this happen after a prompt from an old friend and mentor of
our founder, Maff, the great Mike Tuohy (legend), and Alex, Daria, and John in the loading
bay, Rui and Omar on security, Ali the building engineer, and of course, Bonkers Fanny the
joyous cleaner!
We’re not big on using the “mental” word as it tends to put folk off from coming in, but we do
know that our public living rooms and our 6 principles have a significant positive effect on the
mental health of those who use both regularly. Check us out at camerados.org to join in!
Huge thanks to the fantastic Steve Foster, Aka jazzshots, for the excellent photographs!
Well together
So proud of Camerados for being part of the recent Well Together day. We brought a Public
Living Room, and it was filled with awesome folk from the moment we fluffed the first
cushion.
Big love to OCVA, who showed what real community power looks like: knowing people by
name at street level, backing tiny local groups, and helping them get off the ground. These
are the groups that quietly change the world and make everyday life better for ordinary
people, day by day.
We met the fantastic women from the ‘Iraq Women of Art and War’; they brought so much
joy, proper belly laughs, and a lot of energy. And we were glad to meet Vicky Baker, who
helps make the Well Together project what it is.
Well Together is delivered in partnership by Oxfordshire Community & Voluntary Action and
Community First Oxfordshire, and funded by the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and
Berkshire West Integrated Care Board.
What’s the tea?
Great day (if a little wet) in Cumbria this weekend, taking part in the moving and inspiring
baton of hope UK. People affected by suicide, who lost family members and friends, passed
a baton to each other around the UK – today was Cumbria’s turn. When two women passed
the baton in Whitehaven, they hugged each other; it was the most powerful moment we’ve
witnessed in a while.
Camerados were invited to join in by the fab folk at Hope Haven in Whitehaven, who are
embracing Public Living Rooms as part of their work. Some lovely conversations confirmed
our feeling that these folks have fire in their belly for this stuff.
Finishing up at Carlisle Castle – with drummers – was quite something. Well done to Jonny
and all the team behind Baton Of Hope, and thanks to Julia, Pamela, and others in
Whitehaven. (Also, thanks to the brilliant fellas at Andy’s Man Club, who were always so
eager to help us out today in Carlisle.)
Hastings
Talk about blonde ambition! Darren from Hastings is really going for it, celebrating 10 years
of Camerados in style by dyeing his hair yellow for the occasion. Thanks for helping us
highlight this milestone. It looks absolutely epic!
Virtual Campfire
What a fantastic bunch of creative folk we have in our movement!
At our Virtual Campfire, we had a blast playing a game of Exquisite Corpses (also known as
Consequences in the UK), suggested by Gina from the Boston Camerados. Folk went into
breakout rooms to draw different body parts, and then we stitched them together to see what
wild, mismatched creations emerged. Heads, bodies, and legs didn’t always match, but
that’s exactly what made it so much fun!
Fate of Britain
Camerados joined more than 300 people at The Fate of Britain Convention, a gathering of
organisers, artists, activists and changemakers all committed to building a better world
together.
The convention tackled what many believe is the real crisis in the UK: disconnection. Too
many people feel unheard, unrepresented, and isolated.
The event called for collaboration across differences, to begin writing and living a new story
for the country.
Hosted by Absurd Intelligence, known for their bold cultural strategy and mobilisation work,
the gathering was designed to be uplifting, participatory, and action-driven. Attendees
shaped the agenda, practised new skills, and built networks of mutual support.
Grub and a gripe
Our first Grub & a Gripe was a simple idea: share a meal, sit shoulder-to-shoulder, and let
everyone speak honestly without interruption or fixing. At Mollie’s Café on Monday, nerves
quickly melted into chatter over chilli. Several people almost turned back at the door, yet
chose to stay because they care about their community. One person said, “I feel more like I
belong in this town now than before I came.” Another added, “We need more places where
we can talk and listen and remember we all want the best for our community.”
There was no shouting or labelling, just proper listening, often for the first time. In classic
Camerados style, we ended by thanking the chefs and tidying up together. As one guest put
it, “I never spend time with people who think differently, so tonight was liberating.”
We may run another next year. Fancy trying one? Email office@camerados.org.
Meet the moment – Bristol
A lovely little bunch of Camerados gathered in the Public Living Room on the Quayside, just
outside the Meet the Moment event at the Watershed @w_shed in Bristol, a day devoted to
navigating differences of opinion through the arts, because the arts have that rare power to
move hearts and minds.
The atmosphere was all about sharing, nourishing and empowering each other. We met a
student carefully crafting henna tattoos, a man who had walked away from a corporate
storytelling job because he feared it would erode his empathy.
At one point, the discussion drifted to Masaru Emoto, the Japanese author known for his
ideas about how human emotions shape the crystalline patterns of water. Interesting.
Nottingham Trent University
Connect Four was as popular as ever at Nottingham Trent University in the pop up Public living
room at the Newton building. Lots of students stopped by to relax. All of this fitted inside a
shopping trolley
Spotlight – Bury Park, Luton
This week’s Public Living Room Spotlight is Bury Park in Luton.
You can pop up a Public Living Room anywhere! And it’s really easy!
The folk at Bury Park Community Centre in Luton do just that. Every now and then, they put
the kettle on, grab a few chairs to sit on and make space for folk to come together, have a
chat and look out for each other.
Why not give it a go where you are?
Get in touch at cuppa@camerados.org to have a cuppa with somebody from the movement
who has already done it!
Schools
A massive shout-out to the wonderful Ardrishaig Primary School Camerados! Also, Karen,
Claire, and Laurene from Lochgilphead, who joined the school’s Public Living Room,
alongside parents, grandparents, teachers, and pupils.
No labels, simply people being alongside each other as Camerados.
They chatted about the six principles, shared and ate their favourite biscuits, played games,
drank tea, ate more biscuits, had great conversations, and enjoyed each other’s company!
Lincoln and Wigan
Small moments all over our movement are creating something genuinely special. In Bury
Park, Luton, the team at the Community Centre keeps things beautifully simple: put the
kettle on, pull a few chairs together, and make space for people to talk, laugh, and look out
for each other. Over at Lincoln City Football Club, the Camerados proved once again that a
bit of silliness goes a long way, giant pants and all, showing how a good laugh can help folk
feel a little lighter. And in Wigan’s Community Corner, those everyday surprises that make
their Public Living Room so memorable keep popping up. Host Meryl told us how friends
from the space cooked up homemade Vietnamese beef noodle soup, turning an ordinary
day into something warm and shared. Whether it’s tea, laughter, or a bowl of soup, these
Public Living Rooms remind us that coming together doesn’t take much.
In Frodsham
The Public Living Room at Frodsham Bee Friends had an incredible morning recently, one
that left the whole space buzzing.
With the rising cost of heating causing real worry for many older residents, the Bee Creative
group decided they wanted to do something practical and kind. Over the past few weeks,
this enthusiastic team of knitters, sewers, and crocheters created 80 handmade gifts,
including hats, scarves, gloves, hot water bottle covers, mug cosies, socks, and more, all to
help people stay warm this winter.
They hosted a Keeping Warm Morning, complete with hot chocolate (topped with cream and
marshmallows, of course) and conversations about the importance of staying cosy and safe.
The morning was a huge success, described by one person as “party-like.” Many were
deeply moved to receive such beautiful handmade items, and the Bee Creative team were
thanked again and again for their generosity.
It was a perfect example of what Camerados spaces are all about: people looking out for
each other, side by side.
Boston
If there’s one way to come up with ideas, it’s letting loose with some chalk on the pavement
and inviting the whole community to join you.
The Boston Camerados added a burst of colour to the sidewalks during their recent ‘Chalk It
Up’ get-together in Lower Allston.
They’ve collected tons of ideas for a mural they’re planning, and we can’t wait to see it
come to life!
Harrogate
After the success of a Social Work student’s Camerados Public Living Room earlier this
year, Harrogate Staywell coordinated another event on October 23rd, bringing people
together for connection and community.
With the weather turning cold, ASDA Harrogate offered a warm indoor space, and it quickly
became a cosy corner where members of the public could sit, chat, and share stories.
Conversations ranged from housing challenges to finding new groups to join, and moments
of comfort shared in times of loss.
It may have been just a few chairs and a kettle, but it gave the community something
special, a Public Living Room that offered Harrogate a great big hug.
Worksop
A pop-up Public Living Room rolled straight out of the granny trolley at The Hope Festival, a
celebration of resilience, transformation, and the power of the human spirit. Born from a
collaboration between Elastic FM and Rhubarb Farm, this one-of-a-kind event shone a light
on inspiring stories from people in Derbyshire who have overcome addiction and gone on to
embrace brighter futures.
And the best part? Folk even threw off their lanyards so they could feel truly human, relax,
and just be themselves in the Public Living Room.
In Settle
A pop-up Public Living Room has officially landed in Settle this week!
Jo, Adam (pictured) and the whole crew, including a brilliant folk band, are warming up Settle
Victoria Hall, the world’s oldest surviving music hall, making the pop-up Public Living Room
feel alive with music and friendly faces. Nothing brings folk together quite like a warm, comfy
space and a bit of live music!
In Lochgilphead
The Camerados spirit was shining at the Book Week Scotland event in Lochgilphead. Folk
came together to hear Maff share ideas from his book Friends and Purpose, and the room
was full of chat about why friends, purpose, and looking out for each other matter when life
gets tough. The warmth and mutuality came entirely from the community who turned up, a
proper Camerados gathering.
The big and wee Camerados at Ardrishaig Primary School had a fantastic morning. The
school has become the first primary school in Scotland to join the Camerados movement,
and it’s no surprise. Their values align so closely with Camerados’ principles that the ethos
naturally fits into school life from the very beginning.
A massive thank-you to Ardrishaig Primary School, the epic camerados folk from
Lochgilphead and everyone who joined in. What a brilliant day for Camerados in Argyll.
A serendipitous Passing
“A serendipitous passing with Rebecca, followed by a chat in a pub… that’s all it took for us
to realise we both wanted to show up differently, against all the shouting and division.”
“We hatched a plan to be in community, nothing fancy, just a space for people to be
alongside one another.”
“On another lovely, mild autumn Saturday, Sam packed the car, and I grabbed cushions, a
spider plant and a few chairs. Back to Jenny Lind Park we went.”
“We faffed with chairs, rugs, blankets, lamps, tea, coffee and biscuits, creating the wonder of
a Public Living Room right there in the park.”
“New and familiar faces joined us… Some for five minutes, others for long warm
conversations. People helping themselves, helping each other, just being human.”
“I still get the ‘what if no one comes?’ nerves… but every time I leave filled up, renewed by
stories, mutuality, and the simple magic of being side by side.”
“Where we begin in relationship rather than difference, community grows. One biscuit at a
time, and honestly, there’s nothing stopping you from doing the same.”
Reach out if you wish to, and give https://camerados.org/ a gander if you fancy finding out
more about Public Living Rooms.
Oh Crumbs
It’s Tricia Nichol from Gloriously Ordinary Lives
What was your first-ever email address? And do you regret it?
I was an early adopter of email and very proud of triciacatwoman@hotmail.com, which,
terrifyingly, you can probably reach me on now.
If your life were a sitcom, what would it be called, and what would the theme song be?
Already taken sadly by Radio 4, 6.30 pm comedy, but ‘The Unbelievable Truth’
The theme song would be ‘The Only Way Is Up…’
Who was your most embarrassing celeb crush growing up?
Has to be Jimmy Osmond – we shared (and still do!) a birthday, so I felt a special connection
If you could only wear socks with one novelty print for life, which would it be and why?
Easy – I have them already and would wear them every day if I could. The print is of books,
and they say, ‘Go away, I’m reading’
You’ve been turned into a fridge magnet. What quote is written under your face?
Eternally irritating optimist … or maybe Irritatingly eternal optimist
If you had to describe yourself using only emojis, which three would you pick?
I know absolutely nothing about emojis beyond smiley faces, so I would be liable. I’ve had a
bit of a Google, and I’ll go for what is apparently passion, laughter and stubborn!
Cameradogs
Chief and Eric are local legends in Oswestry.
When Eric’s mum passed in January, he walked at the head of the funeral procession. Eric
even got a fresh haircut the day before, said he needed to look “proper smart” for her.
And despite Chief being roughly the size of a small cow, there’s no question who’s in charge.
The big lad falls into line the moment Eric gives him the look.
Fun Fact: Eric was named after the French footballer Eric Cantona
The Brew Review
Have you ever been gaslighted by a plastic fish? No? Then perhaps you’ve never pulled a
Christmas Cracker. That’s okay, because in the spirit of festive daftness, we are bringing you
a very detailed, but also very unnecessary, crapness ranking of Christmas cracker contents.
The plastic spinning top
This bad boy has been spinning into dinnerware and making dents in Granny’s decoupage
table mats for decades. Crapness Rating 6/10. This crap was slightly entertaining, but still a
menace to society
The fortune-telling fish.
You put this on your palm, and you instantly knew your own personality by the way the
edges curled up. You were always fickle. Regardless of your actual temperament. Crapness
Rating 8/10 Iconic? YES! insulting? YES Crap? Absolutely yes!
The mini comb
No Christmas was complete without using your brand new ‘mini comb’ to comb the Knots out
of your barnet on Boxing Day, before it got lost down the sofa or chewed up by the dog.
Crapness Rating 7/10. It tried so hard to be useful, but it was crap nonetheless
The Shoehorn
This popping out of your cracker was directly followed by a 10-minute debate over exactly
what it was, then a quick demo from Dad, to show you how it worked, before it got relegated
to the back of the messy drawer in the kitchen. Crapness rating deeply unfestive crap 9/10
The jumping frog
Got confiscated after one use for landing in Grandad’s cognac, turned up in a jar on the
windowsill 6 months later. Crapness rating 4/10, too entertaining to be considered utter crap.
The mini cards
Used once to play a game of snap with your great aunt at roughly the same time the rest of
the family was annihilating the after eights. You were able to shuffle these if somebody else
got the tweezers in their cracker. Crapness Rating 5/10 Almost functional crap.
The tweezers
Only useful for shuffling the mini playing cards (and trying to pull the hair from your Uncle’s
nostrils before being sent to bed), crapness rating 6/10. Fairly versatile but still
fundamentally crap.
The mini magnifying glass
Whatever could we use this for? I know! We can use it to look at the numbers on the mini
playing cards. Crapness rating 7/10 Zooming in on crap.
The metal puzzle
Festive Fun has officially died! Cannot be traded for anything else. Crapness rating 10/10
pure undiluted crap.
Back cover
You are cordially invited to click on the link and get involved.
@camerados_org | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
Crowdfunder
Chip in and support Camerados around the world by following this link:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/…/10years-camerados-and…
Maff’s and Victoria’s book direct from the printer
https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=W6Peuunhz4pRTWamCqyZzCsYIaw5pZPmln
xcIykcDuJ
New film
Awooga incoming fanfare and drumroll required! Our new film has landed! Folks in
communities everywhere are longing 4 Belonging, find out how Camerados and Public
Living Rooms create a place for this to happen and for us all to Look Out For Each
Other. Watch our new film, made with huge thanks to everyone in the Movement who
took part and Opus Independent for creating it.