ACORN UK hosted their national UK conference in Leeds, with more than 200 ACORN delegates from more than 30 attendants across the UK in attendance! Members celebrated wins, including a recent action where four hundred members had successfully beaten back TSB bank requirements for mandatory rent increases, and ACORN UK’s ten year anniversary of collective organizing! Of  course, the actions continued, with ACORN Bristol advocating for a member to be able to stay in their home after the city council rejected their right of succession.  The good work continues!

ACORN Brighton had a massive win with their successful ‘Save Our Toilets’ campaign, which reopened over 18 toilets in a public park. ACORN Oxford achieved a big first victory in their campaign for better and more equitable bussing in their city, mirroring the important transit work ACORN is doing in Cambridge.

ACORN Manchester capitalized on their major “Boot the Bailiffs” win by using it to spread the word about the power of organizing with  successful organizing campaign. ACORN Leeds continued their fight against Gloriavd HealthCare on behalf of immigrant workers.

ACORN’s Huddersfield group is set to officially launch following a successful fight to keep a family in their home. This summer, ACORN members in Huddersfield prevented the eviction of a newborn baby and her family from eviction! Alex and Jenny were expecting their third daughter, when they were served a Section 21 ‘No-Fault Eviction’ the same week their baby was due!Prior to that, they had made numerous complaints to their estate agents about faulty electrics, leaks, lack of heating and widespread damp, which lead their eldest to become hospitalised with asthma for a week!

Their repairs were not resolved, and shortly after a Kirklees Council report was submitted, Alex and Jenny were informed the landlord would be selling the house.A dozen Huddersfield residents, of all ages, marched down to Alex and Jenny’s agents to demand an extension to their tenancy, while 5-day old baby was settling in, and the most urgent of repairs seen to!In the 3 months of sustained action, the landlord sorted the most critical repairs, agreed to let them stay, and even attempted to increase their rent by 15% – which was quickly prevented! Eventually, Alex and Jenny managed to find a new home for their family, and left with their full deposit returned, totalling £714 won back.

To learn how we can fight for a better deal for ordinary people in Huddersfield, come along to our official launch event on Saturday, 14th October. RSVP here.

Last month, our affiliates at ACORN Birmingham demonstrated solidarity as we stood alongside our two members, Hetal and Tejas. They currently reside in a city center building and have recently received Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices. Subsequently, it was revealed that the entire building was slated for sale, necessitating the eviction of all tenants in the process.

Tenants Daisy and Ramona found themselves in a challenging situation when their landlord imposed a massive 12% rent increase, exceeding the 5% maximum specified in their contract. Refusing to accept this unjust hike, they confronted the landlord and were shocked to receive a Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notice in response.

In a powerful display of community support and activism, ACORN Birmingham successfully prevented the eviction of a struggling mother and her ten-year-old daughter in Quinton. The family had faced the threat of eviction due to rent arrears accumulated after a significant rent hike last April.

Like so many of us at the moment, residents of Lockleaze in Bristol are struggling with the cost of living, physical and mental health, and lack of youth services locally – areas in which sport and leisure can have a positive impact.

Back in May, ACORN’s Lockleaze group met with Lockleaze Sports Centre to discuss the services provided, and how the charity should have more affordable offers for local people. 

At the outset of the now-ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, over a dozen chapters, branches, and affiliate organizations of ACORN International issued a global call for the social protection of low-income families and individuals.

In Leeds, ACORN welcomed the newest local group, with the launch of ACORN Armley local group.

Also in Leeds, there were many trainings, stalls, and door knocking sessions through April 2022. Additionally, members spoke at a Social Housing Action Campaign rally, Communication Workers Union conference, and National Education Union conference.