What do we mean by cohesive, strong communities?
Research shows that there are many benefits to individuals when
people get along well together in the communities in which they
live. People who have a sense of belonging in their
neighbourhood are likely to take better advantage of public
services and enjoy the benefits of a good education, have access to
meaningful employment, are healthier and are likely to live
longer.in these communities, people have pride in the area in which
they live, feel safe and look out for others in their
neighbourhood.
When positive relationships exist and people of all ages and
backgrounds get along well together, communities are said to be
'cohesive'. Cohesion is about what people have in common,
what brings people together and whether they get along with each
other. These relationships empower
communities and make them stronger as by getting along together,
people can work together to make improvements for their own
neighbourhoods, and develop a sense of belonging where people trust
and tolerate each other. This is a cultural change as it is
strengthening society to help itself. In addition to the benefits
to residents, who are in charge of their own destinies, this can
also reduce the reliance on some public organisations in the long
term. This is very much in line with the Coalition Government's
thinking on the Big Society.
As a rule most people do not go about their
daily lives asking themselves ‘have we been cohesive
today?’ It is much more noticeable when communities are
not cohesive, and where disharmony and tensions are felt within
communities..
A tendency can be to focus on people’s
differences especially if being different isolates them from
society or if they feel discriminated against. This can push
people in communities apart. In practice we have far more in
common; what we do, what we worry about and what we aspire to. We
should focus more on these things.
Useful definitions:
Many terms are used to define these relationships within
communities and the benefits that these bring. One term which is
used is 'integration'. The Coalition Government have produced
Creating the Conditions for Integration. This document outlines
what the Government believes needs to happen to create the
conditions for everyone to play a full part in national and local
life. They have identified five key factors: Common Ground,
Responsibility, Social Mobility, Participation and Empowerment and
Tackling Intolerance and Extremism.
Another term that is used is 'community cohesion'.
A definition for community cohesion is a
useful starting point for this work and summarises what we aspire
to for cohesive, strong communities. In using this toolkit you will
therefore find the term 'community cohesion' is referred to in both
the toolkit and many of the links that are provided.
Worcestershire's Vision for Cohesive,
Strong Communities and Our Strategic
Aims.
Back to
the
homepage 
Feedback on this page
