Quakers are a faith group committed to working for equality and peace. We try to live in truth, peace, simplicity, and equality, finding God in ourselves and those around us. Our meetings offer a welcoming opportunity for spiritual exploration. Quakers are members of a movement formally known as the Religious Society of Friends, founded by George Fox in mid-17th century England.

Quakers believe that each person can have a direct experience of God, without the need for priests or rituals. Rooted in Christianity, Quakerism is a way of life, rather than a dogma or creed. We use the Bible, but also find inspiration in a wide range of sources, including other religious writings, poetry and the natural world.

While we do not have a creed, we hold to a way of living faithfully, according to our spiritual experience. We refer to these ways of action as testimonies. Our testimony to equality arises from our conviction that there is that of God in everyone, which leads us to recognise the equal worth of all people. Quakers have had gender equality since their founding in the mid-seventeenth century. We have always opposed war as a means of settling disputes and are well known for our work for peace and alternatives to violence. We strive for integrity in all that we do, and to make simpler lifestyle choices. This includes a commitment to the environment and to reducing our carbon footprint.

To follow some of the ways in which Quakers are 'living faithfully' nationally, please visit our National Quaker News and Events Page

Above, a selection of panels from the Quaker Tapestry. The Quaker Tapestry consists of 77  vibrant embroidered panels, made by 4,000 men, women and children from 15 countries between 1981 and 1996. The Tapestry​ illustrates the history of Quakerism from the 17th century to the present day. The idea of Quaker Anne Wynn-Wilson,  the tapestry has a permanent home at the Friends Meeting House at Kendal, Cumbria, England- though many panels have been on tour since 1996.