People in Calderdale are being asked to share their thoughts about how they feel connected to their local neighbourhood and the wider Calderdale area
Calderdale Council is developing a new approach to social cohesion through the Building Stronger Communities Framework – a document which supports the borough to be a place where everyone can achieve, thrive, and take up opportunities to live a larger life.
The last Cohesive Communities Strategy was developed in 2018. Since then, there have been lots of challenges that have affected communities, including flooding, a pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and international conflicts.
To help shape an updated approach, local people are asked to take part in conversations to share their feelings, thoughts, experiences and hopes about their community and Calderdale as a whole.
The conversation questions are based on themes that are known to build stronger communities and sustain social cohesion, these are:
- Feelings of belonging,
- Connections across people from different social groups,
- Perceptions of how people with different backgrounds get on with each other,
- Feelings of safety,
- Volunteering, and taking care of our neighbourhoods and places,
- Aspirations,
- Thoughts and feelings on the benefits and challenges of migration.
People can answer questions on all the topics, or just the ones that interest them the most. The second part of the conversation space asks general questions to find out more about the people completing the survey. This helps to identify if there are any people that aren’t being heard and find those voices that are missing. All responses are anonymous.
The survey is available at https://calderdale.citizenlab.co/en-GB/projects/building-stronger-communities-conversation-space and can be completed until Sunday 30 June 2024.
Feedback will be used to inform work across the borough to help continue to build a stronger, happier place where people can live life to the full. It will support work to develop cultural, social and economic vibrancy and improve cohesion and integration between different communities, bringing wide reaching benefits.
Calderdale Council’s Director of Public Services, Ian Day, said:
“Creating thriving towns and places is one of the Council’s priorities and we know that community cohesion and integration are at the heart of what makes a place feel strong and safe.
“Calderdale is a special place with a proud tradition of diversity, inclusion and togetherness. We regularly see Calderdale’s kindness in action, with high levels of volunteering and powerful examples of resilience.
“We also understand that some people and communities can face challenges. We want to listen to people’s thoughts and experiences to help us build stronger communities where people feel connected, safe, enjoy a sense of belonging and ensure that individuals can achieve their potential.”
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