Community cohesion and integration

'Building Bristol Together; working towards a vibrant and prosperous international community, based on shared values, civic pride, respect, equality and compassion.'

Bristol has a changing population. New communities are settling in central parts of the city and beyond, bringing both advantages and new challenges around cohesion and integration.

The City Council's response is focussed on the delivery of the Community Cohesion Strategy and Action Plan, which brings together departments from across the council.

The Community Cohesion manager, who is part of the Equalities and Community Cohesion Team, manages the strategy's ongoing development.  His main role is to ensure that community cohesion actions are coordinated and effective and meeting the challenges of our changing communities.

The Department of Communities and Local Government's recently published paper `creating the conditions for integration' (February 2012) which sets out the Governments vision. The paper identified five key factors that contribute to integration.

• Common Ground - a clear sense of shared aspirations and values, which focuses on what we have in common rather than our differences.

• Responsibility - A strong sense of our mutual commitments and obligations, which brings personal and social responsibility

• Social mobility - People able to realise their potential to get on in life.

• Participation and empowerment - People of all backgrounds have the opportunities to take part, be heard and take decisions in local and national life.

• Tackling intolerance and extremism - A robust response to threats, whether discrimination, extremism or disorder, that deepen division and increase tensions.

The current focus for community cohesion and integration within the Council is based on the following areas of work:

• Tackling myths and perceptions around housing allocation.

• Developing community cohesion on the Outer Estates.

• Addressing tensions in local areas, reporting through the Tension Monitoring Group (TMG) - Tension Monitoring reporting form (pdf, 20 KB) (opens new window)

• Twinning work to bring schools and young people from different backgrounds together.

• Preventing violent extremism

• Building dialogue between faiths

• Supporting innovation around the teaching of English Language (ESOL)

• Intergenerational project to bring younger and older people together

• Training for professionals and local residents around community cohesion and equalities.

Community cohesion strategy sets out how we will foster good relations between equalities communities and the wider community.

If you would like more information on community cohesion and integration please contact Ian Quaife, Community Cohesion Manager, Bristol City Council on 9036413 - ian.quaife@bristol.gov.uk