The Circle Society

Researching a simple idea with extraordinary potential.

The Circle Society is a proposed charity inspired by Shug the Monk's International Circle Movement.

Its purpose is to investigate whether something as simple as a public circle — a welcoming place where people can sit together in peace — could make a meaningful difference to communities around the world.

The idea is simple. Anyone can enter a circle, regardless of religion, politics, wealth, background or social status. Nobody is expected to speak, agree with anyone else or adopt a particular philosophy.

Just a place to sit, reflect and recognise our shared humanity.

What Would the Charity Do?

The Circle Society would bring together researchers, designers, community organisations and volunteers to explore the potential of public circles.

Its proposed activities include:

• Scientific research: Investigating whether circles can improve mental wellbeing, reduce loneliness and strengthen community relationships.

• Community projects: Helping communities establish welcoming circles in parks, neighbourhoods and public spaces.

• Hospitals and prisons: Exploring whether circles could support reflection, rehabilitation and social connection.

• Education: Developing resources to help schools and young people understand peaceful coexistence.

• Design and architecture: Exploring affordable, beautiful and accessible circle designs.

• Sharing knowledge: Publishing research and practical guidance so successful ideas can spread freely around the world.

A Movement Guided by Evidence

The Circle Society would not exist to prove Shug right.

It would exist to discover what works.

Perhaps some ideas will succeed and others will fail. Perhaps researchers will discover entirely different applications for circles that nobody has yet imagined.

The charity would encourage independent investigation, constructive criticism and open discussion.

The ambition is not to defend a philosophy, but to improve an idea.

A Global Vision

Imagine a world in which every community has somewhere people can gather without having to buy anything, belong to an organisation or agree with one another.

A place where strangers can become neighbours.

Where disagreement need not become hostility.

Where the most powerful and the most vulnerable can sit as equals.

The Circle Society would explore whether this vision could become a practical reality.

Help Shape the Idea

The Circle Society is currently a proposal, not an established charity.

Shug welcomes interest from researchers, universities, charities, community leaders, architects and anyone who believes this idea deserves serious investigation.

We don't yet know how much good a circle can do. That's precisely why we should study it.

An idea proposed by Hugh Parsons — Shug the Monk, founder of the International Circle Movement.