Outside Side By Side was one of the projects that received funding through the Our Community, Our Future social integration programme
Published Tuesday 23 March 2021 at 15:52
Blackburn with Darwen’s social integration work has been included in a national policy paper on community cohesion, as a good example of bringing people from different backgrounds together.
Beyond Us and Them: Policy and Practice for Strengthening Social Cohesion in Local Areas has been published this week by Belong – the Cohesion and Integration Network and the University of Kent.
The document sets out a series of recommendations for national and local government on how they can increase social cohesion at a local level as communities emerge and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report authors suggest central government works in partnership with local government and institutions to support a tailored place-based approach to address social cohesion.
The report references a number of Our Community, Our Future social integration projects managed through Blackburn with Darwen Council, including a small grants programme for community projects that bring people from different backgrounds together.
The report also praises the Council’s engagement work with local BAME communities during the pandemic, and the two-day Festival of Making which is seen as a town centre event for everyone in the borough.
Coun Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Chair of the Our Community, Our Future board:
We have an excellent track record in leading programmes that bring people of different ages, backgrounds and cultures together in Blackburn with Darwen. This is vital to help us build a stronger borough where everyone feels that they belong.
To have a number of our social integration projects included in this national policy paper is very pleasing. Working with a wide range of local partners, last year the Our Community, Our Future social integration programme involved over 5,000 people and 230 groups in this important work.
This work is sowing the seeds for a more optimistic future for them, and for our borough as a whole.
I believe that our diversity is a huge asset to our borough, economically, socially and culturally. Bringing together people from across our communities gives me a glowing sense of pride and encourages a real sense of belonging.
The report was compiled using findings from the Beyond Us & Them research study.
The research, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, makes a strong case for investment in social cohesion as a way to help people feel happier in themselves, more connected to people and place, to reduce community tension and build resilience.
Jo Broadwood, Chief Executive of Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network, said:
Our recent report highlighted how investing in social cohesion brings considerable returns for individuals and their communities. As we tentatively look forward to emerging from the pandemic, central and local government must start planning strategically to ensure neighbourliness, compassion and unity are at the heart of how we move forward.
To find out more about Blackburn with Darwen’s social integration programme, visit www.blackburn.gov.uk/social-integration or follow ‘Our Community, Our Future’ on Facebook.
Filed under : community cohesion | Our Community Our Future | social integration