Tackling Extremism and Creating Connections: The Groundswell Project’s Three-Tier Approach

The UK saw a 41% rise in terrorism-related arrests from 2023 to 2024, highlighting the need for better counter-terrorism and radicalisation prevention strategies in the UK. The Preventing and Tackling Extremism in the UK Conference took place on the 12th of June, where we heard from experts within this field. We had an array of excellent speakers, and the day was full of learning, networking and sharing.

One of the most impressive keynotes was delivered by Leela Sule, who ran a case study titled ‘Preventing the Spread of Extremism by Fostering Community Resilience’. Leela works for the Groundswell Project UK as the Community Connector for Luton. The Groundswell Project is an organisation that understands how integral it is that people from different cultures, beliefs and ethnicities understand and respect each other. This mutual respect will lead to a United Kingdom that is truly united, allowing for people of every background to feel comfortable and at home here. Additionally, by uniting people together, it makes it harder for people to fall victim to radicalisation and hateful narratives, reducing the threat of extremism and terror-related threats. Leela introduces us to the Groundswell Project’s three-tiered approach, whilst also giving us real-life examples of ways in which the company has helped bridge communities and fight disconnection and radicalisation.

“When we understand each other it becomes harder to mock, detest and hate and easier to band together on the things that matter in life for all of us. We succeed when people see each other as people, when communities are strong because of shared humanity despite their differences.”

– The Groundswell Project

Leela highlighted that Luton, the town where she was born and grew up, and is also the Community Connector for, has had a history of extremist activity. There are over 130 languages spoken in Luton. The language differences can create siloed, isolated communities. When groups are isolated, they don’t understand each other, there is no empathy built between communities and groups within the town can be very fragmented. The Groundswell Project believes that this alienation from one another is what leads to extremist beliefs and misinformation spreading. 

1. Building empathy and recognising differences

The first element of the Groundswell three-tiered Method is empathy building. It’s about recognising the differences between us instead of ignoring them and making space for different opinions, perspectives, and lived experiences. The Groundswell Project believes in creating space for different viewpoints to exist – not censoring lived experience, but allowing people to discuss and recognise differences. Leela also maps Luton to identify peace-building organisations already doing this work, and helps to amplify their efforts. 

“We act as facilitators, not as outsiders taking over. We work with grassroots organisations and amplify their impact.”

– Leela Sule

For The Groundswell Project, it’s a tapestry of small actions – spaces where people can be heard, vulnerabilities addressed, and struggles recognised. All of these things contribute to a more resilient community that is less likely to be exploited by hate groups and extremists. 

In short, when we have empathy for each other, there will be less disconnection. Disconnect can lead to alienation, which can lead to dislike and anger, which can lead to extremist beliefs. By creating communities that celebrate their differences and understand/respect each other, there is no disconnect.

2. Creating spaces for unity within towns

The second tier of The Groundswell Method is creating spaces for unity. Leela states that this work needs to reach the general public, not just those already deeply involved. They are trying to reach people on the fringe who could be exploited or manipulated. They want to facilitate connections across communities, to try and get people away from learning about different groups through social media echo chambers. If you get these people in the same rooms, they will realise that underneath the cultures, religions and races, we are the same. We lead the same lives, in the same towns. That community culture can begin to grow between groups, fostering a culture of connectedness and respect.

An example of building places for unity is how The Groundswell Project works with GP surgeries, churches, mosques, and partners with domestic abuse charities. By going to where the public already is and bringing safeguarding work there, they can reach people more effectively. One example of this is the workshop “Parents for Change,” which helps parents recognise signs of radicalisation or online exploitation in their children or the young people they work with. Connecting communities and fighting anti-social behaviour is essential for environments where everyone feels respected and safe. The Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Conference 2025 will look at ways of linking communities together and opposing anti-social behaviour. 

3. Building resilience to oppose hateful narratives

The final tier of the Groundswell Method is resilience building. Vulnerabilities are often what make people angry, resentful and frightened – especially of other cultures that they don’t understand. By identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities, like fear or lack of understanding, Leela can help to build resilience around them. Often, when people don’t see a solution to their problems, hate groups can feed them a narrative that fits in with their personal experience, which is extremely harmful and can spur vulnerable people to become radicalised. So, The Groundswell Project knit together communities by identifying gaps, supporting local efforts, and addressing those vulnerabilities. 

A real-world example

In the next part of Leela’s case study, she discusses a project she worked on called Knockout Minds. Often, refugees who live in temporary hotel accommodation deal with feelings of trauma and isolation. Leela recalls how a lot of them wanted to be able to move around and exercise. At first, Leela looked into getting them free access to local gyms, but that wasn’t feasible, so instead she utilised the community. As mentioned earlier, by looking at groups around the area that are already delivering care and services, The Groundswell Project can make connections and make change. 

So, Leela linked a church that runs a refugee cafe, a men’s peer mental health support group, and a boxing group called Boxing Saves Lives to create a space where these refugees could exercise. She managed to get funding, and now they can run boxing and mental health classes for all men in Luton, especially accessible to the refugee community. This brings together people with different lived experiences and helps build resilience and prevent isolation.

Observed impact and key lessons

The case study came to a close with some observed impact and key lessons. As connectors of groups and people, The Groundswell Project maintains a bird’s-eye view, which allows them to spot gaps and opportunities because they’re not tied to any single organisation. Working at this connector level also means less red tape. Leela and the colleagues can move fast. The refugee project came together quickly because voluntary groups were able to act fast. This lets them stay agile, bringing things together quickly without having to source different groups – the bird’s-eye view gives them that knowledge of what is available around them.

Stakeholder relationships have also been vital for Leela’s work  – having great support from the local authority helps with signposting and accessing funds. Leela strongly believes that working across grassroots, local authority, and other stakeholders has been key to this three-tiered resilience-building model. 

“I’ve made personal connections through members of the local authority who can signpost me towards a group that might be able to meet a certain need.” 

– Leela Sule

Throughout this case study, you could see the pride Leela feels for the work she has done in and around Luton for The Groundswell Project. Their unique methodology of being a connector allows them to make changes quickly and efficiently, creating meaningful change in Luton. Their work in connecting communities has helped bring people of different backgrounds together, which will help to tackle vulnerabilities which can lead to radicalisation and extremist beliefs. 

We’d like to thank Leela Sule for this incredibly interesting session. The work that The Groundswell Project is doing is inspiring and impressive. You can find out more about the Groundswell Project here.