We were honoured to host the UK’s inaugural Reparations Conference, organized by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Afrikan Reparations (APPG-AR), on October 21st. This landmark event was led by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, the chair of the APPG-AR.

Quakers took a significant step last year by committing to explore meaningful reparations for the trans-Atlantic slave trade and colonialism. The conference, which was entirely free, offered diverse sessions covering topics related to reparatory justice, ranging from education to environmental equity. Siobhan Haire, Deputy Recording Clerk of Quakers in Britain, contributed to one of the panels. Further details about the conference can be found on this blog on the Quakers in Britain website.

Our team took great pleasure in assisting with the organization of the Reparations Conference, recognizing its immense significance, particularly during Black History Month. To mark the occasion, we curated a special themed menu, featuring beloved Caribbean and African culinary staples. Our menu showcased delightful dishes like Jollof rice, Jerk chicken, plantains, and even offered a Jerk tofu option for our vegan guests. Our dedicated team catered to more than 300 attendees at our Seed Café.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, the event’s lead, expressed her appreciation, saying, “ The Friends House staff were exemplary throughout, they could not do enough to assist us and are a huge credit to you all.  I had rave reviews of Siobhan on her panel, chaired by Dawn Butler MP. It was one of the best attended of the conference. And I must thank Sou, Events and Sales Manager, for all of her patience and assistance with the booking.”

Friends House has always hosted events contributing to societal progress from various organizations and groups. We are glad this tradition continues today. We are excited about the potential for hosting more events of this nature in the future. If you’re interested in hosting your event, please feel free to contact our team: events@quaker.org.uk or 020 7663 1100.