Community Cohesion

Community cohesion is more than ‘race relations’ and social equality. It is about breaking down barriers and building relations
between and within communities;

• rich/poor
• old/young
• transient /permanent
• new comers/established residents
• race/race
• faith/faith
• etc....

It is about celebrating and valuing differences and developing a common sense of belonging based on shared values and responsibilities for all communities. It lies at the heart of creating a safe and strong Charnwood and is about listening to and addressing the concerns of all communities.

Much of our work is based on the report of the Charnwood Community Cohesion Pathfinder Team; Community Cohesion in Charnwood - Meeting the Challenge (PDF Document, 0.2 Mb)

We are following the Government’s definition of Community Cohesion:

"Community Cohesion is what must happen in all communities to enable different groups of people to get on well together. A key contributor to community cohesion is integration which is what must happen to enable new residents and existing residents to adjust to one another.

Our vision of an integrated and cohesive community is based on three foundations:

• People from different backgrounds having similar life opportunities
• People knowing their rights and responsibilities
• People trusting one another and trusting local institutions to act fairly

And three key ways of living together:

• A shared future vision and sense of belonging
• A focus on what new and existing communities have in common, alongside
• A recognition of the value of diversity

Strong and positive relationships between people from different backgrounds."

Charnwood Borough Council is working in partnership with the People and Places to develop and deliver a Community Cohesion strategy for Charnwood.