In This Together

Surviving Universal UK Hosts Powerful Grassroots Gathering at House of MOBO

On Thursday 23 April 2026, Surviving Universal UK hosted In This Together: A Grassroots Gathering at the iconic House of MOBO, bringing together grassroots organisations, survivors, advocates, changemakers, and community leaders for an afternoon centred on connection, visibility, collaboration, and community care.

Bathed in sunshine and filled with warmth, laughter, powerful conversations, and collective purpose, the event marked a significant milestone for Surviving Universal UK as the organisation continues to grow its work supporting survivors of cultic and spiritual abuse across the UK.

The intimate pilot gathering welcomed a diverse and inspiring room of attendees, including activists, health advocates, safeguarding professionals, grassroots organisations, and survivors from across multiple communities.

Among the special guests was Helen Hayes MP,who delivered a passionate address highlighting her continued support for Surviving Universal UK and our ongoing campaigns to amend the Serious Crime Act 2015 so that all forms of coercive control are recognised and addressed within UK law.

Although Deputy Mayor of Lambeth Councillor Christine Banton was unfortunately unable to attend, she demonstrated her strong support for the gathering by asking former Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Anne Edwards, to attend in her place. Councillor Anne praised the strength, resilience, and dedication of the grassroots organisations present and spoke warmly about the importance of community-led work.

The event also welcomed representatives and advocates from a wide range of organisations and causes, including Black Lives Matter UK, Helping Hands CIC, and Lambeth Health & Wellbeing Champions, alongside disability advocates, health campaigners, and local leaders committed to improving outcomes for underrepresented communities.

A particularly powerful element of the day was the presence of survivors from four different high-control groups operating within the UK. Their attendance highlighted both the prevalence of cultic abuse across British society and the urgent need for greater awareness, safeguarding, and survivor support.

As the UK’s only Black-led organisation specialising in cultic and spiritual abuse, Surviving Universal UK remains committed to ensuring Black survivors are represented and supported, while continuing to advocate for and support survivors from all backgrounds.

Guests also heard from HIV awareness advocates, including representatives from to Skin Like Mine, who spoke candidly about the ongoing impact of stigma within Black communities. One particularly moving contribution reminded the room that:

“HIV is a long-term illness, but stigma is a disease.”

The event also featured a special recorded address from Dawn Butler, who praised the work of Surviving Universal UK and spoke about the importance of survivors having trusted organisations and safe spaces to turn to when leaving high-control environments.

Actor and supporter Emrhys Cooper also attended the gathering. Cooper, who portrayed a cult leader in Coronation Street and has personal family experiences of cults, has supported Surviving Universal UK’s work raising awareness around coercive control and high-control groups.

One of the defining features of the gathering was its intentional focus on sharing the platform. Rather than centring only keynote speakers, attendees from grassroots organisations were invited to take the microphone, introduce their work, and speak directly to the room about the challenges they are addressing within their communities.

The result was an atmosphere that felt collaborative, a rare opportunity for smaller organisations and advocates to be heard, celebrated, and connected with one another.

Guests also enjoyed a delicious selection of canapés provided by The Fligerians, while goodie bags sponsored by The Black Card Company proved especially popular with attendees.

Surviving Universal UK would also like to extend special thanks to House of MOBO for housing this landmark pilot event and helping create such a welcoming and inspiring environment for community connection.

Reflecting on the success of the gathering, founder Rachael Reign said:

“In This Together was everything we hoped it would be, joyful, powerful, intentional-deeply community-led. We created a room where grassroots organisations, survivors, advocates, and changemakers could connect authentically, share their work, and remind each other that none of us are doing this work alone. This was only the beginning.”

Following the success of the event, Surviving Universal UK plans to continue developing spaces that amplify underrepresented voices, encourage collaboration, and strengthen community responses to safeguarding, inequality, coercive control, and social harm across the UK.