Milton Keynes College hosted a White Ribbon event earlier this month for local organisations that stand in support of White Ribbon and its cause of working towards ending violence against women and girls. 

Some of the organisations who attended the event on Friday 13th of June included Milton Keynes City Council, Q:alliance, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue, YMCA Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes University Hospital, Thames Valley Police, Sir Herbert Leon Academy, MK-Act and Mears Group. 

In November 2024, Milton Keynes College Group formalised its commitment to working towards ending men’s violence against women by becoming White Ribbon Accredited – aligning with White Ribbon UK, the leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls. 

In practice, the College Group will deliver a comprehensive multi-year plan to transform our staff culture, systems and the wider community we operate in.  

The theme of the event was the promotion of White Ribbon without alienating men and boys. Speakers included Paul Oxley, the Founder of St Mark’s Meals MK, Jay Virgo from Q:alliance, and Milton Keynes Central MP Emily Darlington via remote video message. The event marked the beginning of a local network dedicated to driving progress and working together to end violence against women and girls. 

Food was provided by the Brasserie; Catering students were involved in the preparation and the set-up of the buffet, which offered a comprehensive selection of breakfast foods. 

Amy Langford, Group Director for Inclusion and Strategic Lead for White Ribbon at Milton Keynes College Group, said: “The event brought together a range of colleagues from across Milton Keynes organisations committed to the White Ribbon commitment to eradicating violence against women and girls. This was a vibrant and thought-provoking session and the beginning of a wider conversation around how we, as a city, can play our own unique part in advancing this agenda.”

Anne-Marie Smith, Domestic Abuse Coordinator at Milton Keynes City Council, said: “Having a local network in support of the White Ribbon campaign is crucial because it fosters a community of accountability and solidarity. It ensures that the message against male violence is consistently reinforced at the grassroots level, empowering individuals to take collective action. This local support amplifies the campaign’s impact, creating safer environments for women and promoting lasting cultural change.”

To learn more about Milton Keynes College Group’s White Ribbon accreditation and what it means, read more here.