Community Cohesion is a phrase that’s been bandied about quite a lot over the past few years, so what is it? One aspect of Community Cohesion is defined by the Government as a ‘common vision and a sense of belonging for all communities’ and occurs when ‘the diversity of people’s backgrounds and circumstances are appreciated and positively valued’. In everyday English, I think that means we all feel proud to live in Hyndburn Borough and we are not scared of the fact that some people are different to us and we appreciate the contribution that everyone has made locally.
Another aspect of Community Cohesion is defined as ‘those from different backgrounds having similar life opportunities’ and ‘strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods’. Again we can re-phrase this more simply by saying that, we all get the same chances in life and that our work colleagues, schoolmates and friends come from all sections of our community.
A lack of genuine interaction between different groups of people can lead to fear, apprehension and ignorance about ‘the other’. The fear of being influenced, of our culture being ‘watered down’. These fears exist in all communities, which is why we need to increase opportunities for us to get to know one another better. Over the years, the divide between young and old seems to be getting larger and larger. Young people can appear ‘threatening’, the elderly are sometimes said to be ‘out-of-touch’. The gaps across all divides need to be bridged before we all become ‘out-of-touch’ with one another. The aspirations of our young people will shape the future of our Borough.
Was it better in the ‘Good ol’ Days’ as some of our elders may say or according to some youngsters will it be better once the old ‘fogies’ stop interfering in our lives? It’s said often enough but the only thing that’s constant in life is change. Communication is key to building our future together so no-one feels left out and we are able to manage the changing face of our Borough effectively.
There will be a Hyndburn ‘inter-faith’ group which the major faiths in the town are committed to. Other Boroughs in the area have benefited significantly from religious dialogue and we need to appreciate the positive aspects of all faiths and challenge myths and media misrepresentation. In Blackburn, the Catholic project ‘THOMAS’ (THose On the Margins of A Society) has Christians and Muslims working together to tackle drug abuse, a social problem that does not discriminate against anyone, whatever background. The faiths working together can naturally follow the faiths talking together.
We need a society that allows relationships to grow naturally, this takes a lot of work, effort and patience. Demonising sections of the community, whether in terms of ethnic groups, age or geography is not helpful.
That’s why whether you’re White or Asian, young or old, rich or poor, settled or Traveller, English, Irish, Scottish or Polish heritage, Christian or Muslim or any other religion for that matter including of course ‘Accrington Stanley!’, most of us live, work and have grown up locally so we should all be proud to belong here.
Hyndburn First’s Community Cohesion themed group is a forum where Community Cohesion activities are co-ordinated and planned with contributions from public service providers, voluntary organisations and community groups.
For further information, please contact Fawad Bhatti, Community Cohesion Officer for Hyndburn on 01254 604688 or fawad.bhatti@hyndburnbc.gov.uk
