The government launched a new funding programme to develop community cohesion across England and Wales. Up to 15 local authority areas will participate. The 'Community Cohesion Pathfinder Programme', aimed at promoting better integration of different racial and ethnic groups, will have an initial budget of 6 million.
Source: Community Cohesion Pathfinder Programme: Prospectus for Local Authorities and Partners, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Prospectus (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 8.1
Date: 2002-Dec
Research reportedly challenged the idea that Asians 'self-segregate', based on a survey of housing in Leeds and Bradford. It said that, while many Asians like to live closely together to be within easy reach of other family or community members, there is no unwillingness to mix with other groups. It pointed out that segregated patterns of living also reflect unequal opportunities in social or private housing, and fears about racism.
Source: Research report Asian mobility in Leeds and Bradford (by Universities of Leeds, Warwick and South Bank), reported by Independent Race and Refugee News Network, 17.12.02 (web only)
Links: News report | Guardian report
Date: 2002-Dec
Guidance was published designed to help local authorities encourage community cohesion. It said that steps should be taken to counter segregated housing, schooling and leisure activities that have led to different communities in the same areas leading separate and 'parallel' lives.
Source: Guidance on Community Cohesion, Local Government Association (020 7664 3000), Home Office, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Commission for Racial Equality and Interfaith Network
Links: Guidance (pdf) | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 8.1
Date: 2002-Dec
A study examined how measures might be applied to judge whether communities are flourishing. It proposed a set of 16 factors which together might indicate the state of community life in a particular area.
Source: Gabriel Chanan, Measures of Community, Community Development Foundation (020 7226 5375) and Active Community Unit/Home Office
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 4.6
Date: 2002-Oct
A report showed how coalfield communities responded when their basic sources of employment, income and social networks were lost, and highlighted lessons for regeneration agencies and others working in communities experiencing social exclusion and under-development.
Source: David Francis, John Grayson and Paul Henderson (eds.), Rich Seam: Community Development in Coalfield Communities, Community Development Foundation (020 7226 5375)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
Researchers recommended an increase in the number of 'extended' schools - schools which act as the focal point for a range of family and community services, including childcare, healthcare, sport and artistic activities, as well as adult learning.
Source: Alan Dyson, Alan Millward and Liz Todd, A Study of the Extended Schools Demonstration Projects, Research Report 381, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A booklet examined how local authorities can involve local people in decision-making, in the light of new legislation in Scotland requiring authorities to improve community planning and consultation processes.
Source: Graham Atherton and Stuart Hashagen with Gabriel Chanan, Charlie Garratt and Alison West, Involving Local People in Community Planning, Community Development Foundation (020 7226 5375)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Sep
A new book described community and neighbourhood mediation in the United Kingdom, including the main models of service provision and funding.
Source: John Gray with Moira Halliday and Andrew Woodgate, Responding to Community Conflict: A Review of Neighbourhood Mediation, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 6.6
Date: 2002-Sep
An official survey measured how neighbourly people are, and what they think of their communities, as part of an innovative attempt to measure different aspects of social capital.
Source: M. Coulthard et al., People's Perceptions of their Neighbourhood and Community Involvement: Results from the Social Capital Module of the General Household Survey 2000, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun