Promoting Successful Social Integration in London

1 LONDONCOUNCILS Contents

1. Foreword, Cllr Sarah Hayward 4 2. Background 5 3. Social Integration in London, Matthew Ryder 7 4. Case Study: City of Westminster 10 5. Case Study: London Borough of Tower Hamlets 14 6. Driving Integration Forward, Jill Rutter 21 7. Case Study: London Borough of Hackney 23 8. Case Study: London Borough of Hounslow 32 9. London is a Different Story, Jacqui Broadhead 38 10. Case Study: London Borough of Lewisham 41 11. The Challenge 47 12. Case Study: London Borough of Newham 49

2 3 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 1. Foreword 2. Background

There has never been a more important time Councils across London have been lead- In July 2015 Louise Casey was asked by deliver projects that improve opportunity to reflect on the work local authorities are ing commissions into fairness, cohesion, Prime Minister David Cameron to undertake or drive aspiration across all parts of their doing to promote social integration. equality and integration that will shape a review into integration and opportunity communities. It will be critical that this local plans and priorities for years to come. in isolated and deprived communities as funding doesn’t come with burdensome There are unique challenges facing Lon- London has recently welcomed Matthew part of a broader effort to tackle extremism. restrictions. Boroughs need to be able to don, with more people living in the capital Ryder as the Deputy Mayor for Social Her final report, published in December work with their partners to deliver projects than ever before and its population pro- Integration, Social Mobility and Communi- 2016, considers immigration and patterns that are flexible and designed around jected to continue growing to more than ty Engagement who is leading on work to of resettlement; the extent to which people local needs. London also needs multi-year 10 million by 2036. The pace and scale of establish the best methods for measuring from different backgrounds mix and get settlements to give projects enough time London’s growth places increasing pres- social integration. And there is so much on together; how different communities, to invest long-term in their locality and be sure on public services, infrastructure and going on at the local level – including ethnic and faith groups in particular, have given the means to become self-sustaining housing. This has been felt more acutely Hackney’s work to improve outcomes for fared economically and socially; and some and effectively address complex social over the last five years; London is balanc- young black men; Hounslow’s mapping of the issues driving inequality and division problems. ing increasing infrastructure and service of community connections to measure in society. demands at a time when local government resilience; Westminster’s commission on It is also important that we see a cohesive funding continues to fall. community cohesion. There are many great The review received a mixed reception from approach across central government for examples of local leaders bringing diverse commentators. Most offered praise that such a programme, with clear, strategic London is also one of the most diverse cities communities together – and when social the report has put community cohesion direction and shared priorities across in the world, where differences are not just integration is done well,it is often by its and integration back on the agenda, all central departments, in order to tolerated but celebrated. Over 300 languag- very nature invisible. and see value in the national debate support and enable local government es are spoken in the capital, and one in that is occurring as a result. Some have and communities to respond fully to the every three Londoners was born outside the This publication brings just some of that criticised the review’s focus on British challenges set out in the review. The review UK. London is home to some of the poorest exciting work together and frames it with Muslim communities at the expense of draws attention to a number of significant and richest communities in the country. But think pieces from experts in integration, viewing social integration as an issue policy areas, which need to be considered as diversity does not necessarily mean that so that London’s councils can continue to for everybody. Other commentators part of a holistic approach to meeting the communities are cohesive and integrated. lead this agenda locally. criticised the recommendation of an oath government’s aspiration around cohesion Unfairness, inequality and injustice can to uphold British values for new arrivals and integration. This includes housing, undermine social integration and the less and for holders of public office as failing education, skills and employment policy. integrated we are as a city, the greater the to address the complex and underlying London’s boroughs are adept locally at economic and social costs we all face. causes of inequality, social isolation and joining up a myriad of central initiatives, community tension which is explored but to be really effective, there needs to be Local authorities also have a key role to play elsewhere in the review. a cohesive approach across government. in defining the impact of Brexit on London’s economy and communities. A safe and Many have welcomed the review’s For example, the government’s focus welcoming city better enables London’s em- recommendation for a new programme to on driving up education standards ployers to recruit and retain international help improve community cohesion, and the through a rapid increase in the number of workers, to attract international investors, review’s recommendations demonstrate academies and free schools in London has and enables all Londoners to share in the the important role of local leaders in restricted the means that councils have capital’s growth. London is leading the way enabling social integration to happen. to be the agent of change when it comes on work to promote socially integrated com- Councillor Sarah Hayward Local areas will want assurances that any to addressing segregation among school munities that will go some way in helping London Councils’ such programme is adequately funded. The age children across a diverse and complex London define the pace of change and the Lead Member for Equalities government needs to find the resources school estate. Louise Casey’s review touches consequences of uncertainty. that will enable London to commission and on this, and is particularly persuasive in

4 5 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 3. Social Integration in London Matthew Ryder, Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement

its discussion of children in supplementary resilience, safeguarding and isolation. On taking office social integration? What are the tools and educational environments, but some will be These all contribute in some way towards last year, Sadiq practical steps we can take to promote concerned that the recommendations do the creation of socially integrated Khan announced it? How will we recognise and measure not go far enough. communities. Integration is not just about that he would successful social integration when we new communities, but about how people of appoint a Deputy achieve it? What can be done at a city-wide The review outlines some of the good different social backgrounds, generations, Mayor for Social level that enhances and builds on what examples of confident local services faiths, and ethnicities interact and build Integration, is being done more locally? With those delivering Prevent in their local area, meaningful relationships. Social Mobility questions in mind, I would like to share and supports the important work the and Community Engagement. The some of the thinking we have developed programme does to keep us safe. It is unprecedented priority he was giving social over the last year and themes that will be important to tackle violent extremism integration was prescient: over the last year an important part of my work on social directly and firmly. However, we must income inequality, migrant integration, integration moving forward. ensure that individuals and communities social justice and community cohesion are not alienated in the process. Conflating have been consistently at the forefront of First, my team has sought to develop a integration with counter-terrorism can public, political and media attention in working definition of social integration exacerbate division, and does little to various ways. But while there is a growing which will guide the approach of all the promote social integration as an issue for consensus over the importance of social teams in the GLA and our partners. It has everybody and as an agenda that permeates integration there is still some uncertainty as three key components: reducing inequality every part of a local authority’s work. to what it means in practice, and what the and promoting fairness and opportunity GLA is doing to improve social integration for all; encouraging active citizenship It is with this in mind that this publication across London. and community participation; enabling brings together the breadth of work going empowerment through positive contact and on across London local government. The Mayor’s vision is for a more socially strong relationships. The terminology used in discussing this integrated London and a more equal work includes cohesion, equalities, city where everyone’s differences are Second, I am publishing a new social not only accepted and respected but integration strategy for London to explain celebrated. London has always been a city our thinking and share what we have of opportunity, but we must ensure that learned. At its core will be a dynamic and barriers of discrimination, and social and evolving ‘social evidence base’ we are economic divisions are reduced so that developing in conjunction with academics those opportunities are available to all. and our data experts at the GLA. It Just as importantly, London must value will draw on a large range of available its communities and enable people to datasets that are vital to understanding participate in local life and influence the London’s activity and will help us meet decisions that affect their everyday lives. the growing calls for an evidence based The phenomenal diversity of London’s approach to social integration. Through residents is a huge strength, but only if we the social evidence base we are developing live in an integrated city where people from specific measurements – quantitative and all backgrounds feel fully engaged. qualitative – that will help us understand how effective our policies and projects But beyond the more general are in achieving social integration. A tool understanding of social integration are councils across London will be able to use to more difficult questions. How do we define monitor the progress of their work.

6 7 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS Third, GLA’s Sports and Volunteering teams London Councils officials on range of areas We have also worked with London Councils with the digital world, is crucial. Similarly, have been integrated into my department including Syrian refugee resettlement. to publish research on the ESOL (English while we must address well recognised because we see those areas as practical ways We think there is a real opportunity for for Speakers of Other Languages) needs issues of discrimination, it is vital that we to coordinate activity across London that London’s boroughs, communities and of Syrian refugees and ESOL training that also give priority to reducing disadvantage promotes social integration through active businesses to help some of the most is already provided in London, to support through the barriers of social class. citizenship. Our new approach to community vulnerable refugees fleeing war and boroughs already participating in refugee sports – focusing on how sports can be used persecution in Syria. That’s why in July resettlement. At a time of rapid change and uncertainty to unite communities – draws on learning 2017, the Mayor launched his ambition for many Londoners, I look forward to and experience from cities across the world. to bring Londoners together to support We are keen to encourage improved continuing to work with London boroughs Team London is building on its huge success the resettlement of Syrian refugees share of learning, information and data. to advance social integration in London in enrolling volunteers for major events by through development of a new community This will help us support and extend the over the coming years, and creating a truly developing more structured, data driven sponsorship model. We’ll look at how excellent work many local authorities are inclusive and interconnected city. ways for volunteering to be part of everyday Londoners can work together to offer carrying out to promote social integration. life, and to have employers support affordable accommodation, employment Many boroughs have taken innovative, evidence-based approaches to deliver workplace volunteering more easily. opportunities and support adapting to life Matthew Ryder grew up in London, the son change which could benefit the whole city. in London. Local authorities will be key of a Jamaican mother and English father. Fourth, my teams are working creatively Hackney Council’s programme with the to developing a community sponsorship He attended his local comprehensive before with civil society because we realise that our local CVS works with young black boys and model that can work in London, and we studying law at Cambridge University and work on social integration is fundamentally their parents to come up with community have appointed a lead officer to work with Columbia University in New York. He became dependent on existing civil society co-produced solutions to the systemic local authorities, communities and other a barrister in 1992. organisations. This has included our ground partners to develop this approach. You challenges and barriers that prevent them breaking ‘Citizenship and Integration can read more about the scheme here: from achieving their full potential. The He has sat on a number of influential panels Initiative’ launched in April which allowed https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/ programme sets some clear ambitions to and working parties assessing reform of staff from civil society groups to be communities/migrants-and-refugees/ reduce disproportionality for black boys and the criminal justice system, including seconded into positions within City Hall to helping-resettlement-refugees. young men living in the borough over the the ‘Lammy Review’ on Black, Asian and share learning and best practice and work next decade. Minority Ethnic representation in the with us on specific projects. You can read We know that realising the Mayor’s vision criminal justice system commissioned by Others such as Westminster, through their more about this ground-breaking initiative will only be achieved by the Mayor’s team the Prime Minister. here: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we- working with local partners, civil society Community Cohesion Commission, are do/communities/mayors-new-citizenship- and London boroughs, who are already exploring what community cohesion means initiative. So far, this work includes: doing so much to promote social integration for residents, and what the council can in their local areas. I have seen the value do to strengthen it across the borough. • Supporting young Londoners to access of this work first hand through visiting Newham Council is bringing the local their residency and citizenship rights. projects across 16 London boroughs over community together and preventing the summer, including meeting young exclusion by awarding small grants to • Increasing civic engagement and people on a summer programme run by support residents in hosting their own improving citizenship ceremonies. The Challenge in Wandsworth, visiting a inclusive community event local CVS in Redbridge and participating • Celebrating our shared and diverse Most of all, listening to Londoners’ in a Polish Community roundtable in identities. priorities has provided us with focus. Hammersmith and Fulham. I also heard The need to address social isolation and We are keen to work with London boroughs some powerful examples from local London’s more diverse ageing population to achieve those aims, and have already authority officers at the London Councils’ has helped us understand that giving access been in discussion with some borough and Officer Network for Social Integration. to basic online skills for those unfamiliar

8 9 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 4. Westminster

Westminster City Council has established the heart of the decision making process. Westminster’s Community barriers to cohesion within Westminster, a cross-party Community Cohesion That is exactly what community cohesion engage with key stakeholders to inform Commission to undertake a review of the should be about…. I now want…to deliver Cohesion Commission recommendations and prepare a report for social integration of its communities and a city where people know what their In order to respond to the above challenges consideration. Its objectives were to: strengthen its work on cohesion. council does and how they can make a and changes, in 2015, Cllr Nickie Aiken, the i) improve how the council engages with different….where elected councillors are then Cabinet Member for Public Protection Westminster’s communities; Westminster and leading their communities through new and now Leader of Westminster City Council, forms of neighbourhood engagement, its Communities: committed to conducting a review of policy ii) empower and improve the opportunities where anyone can access council services, and practice relating to community cohesion, for all of Westminster’s diverse Westminster is one of the most diverse online at any time.” with a focus on combating extremism and communities; places in the world, with hundreds of radicalisation in Westminster. While much of this is still as relevant thousands of people from different iii) reduce the risks of harm to today as it was in 2006, 10 years on backgrounds living and working in the Westminster Council Leader Cllr In order to undertake this review, a Westminster’s communities; and, borough. It is home to just under a quarter a lot has changed – from the global Nickie Aiken chairs the Community Community Cohesion Commission has of a million people, with thousands of economic recession to the decision Cohesion Commission been established. The Commission is iv) enable communities to develop greater families raising 42,600 children who live, to leave the European Union. When chaired by Cllr Aiken and is represented resilience. learn and grow up here. Over 150 languages combined with continued rapid by councillors from both Westminster’s are spoken in the city’s schools and technological advancements, reducing political parties including Cllr Adam Hug, It was decided that the commission 28,400 older people live in the borough. public finances, increasing demands the Leader of the Opposition party. would work under four broad themes – Westminster is also the UK’s cultural, and expectations on services, policy identity; faith and values; empowerment entertainment and entrepreneurial hub; developments, regeneration, and changes After considering various definitions and opportunity; and safeguarding and a local economy with national clout, in demographics, this has all impacted the of community cohesion, it was decided community engagement. contributing over £55 billion to the way in which people in Westminster work that it was most appropriate for the The commission was launched in June 2016 country’s economic output It s shops alone and live with one another. Commission to work to the definition at an event at Westminster’s Porchester generate £13.3 billion of revenue and offered by the Local Government Hall. Guest speakers included Borough attract over five million visitors a week. Association as per the below: Commander for Westminster Peter Ayling Building a cohesive community has been By community cohesion, the councils mean and the then Youth MP for Westminster a particular focus for Westminster City working towards a society in which there Hamza Taouzzale, who shared their reasons Council for over a decade. On 14 March is a common vision and sense of belonging for wanting to aid the commission in their 2006, the then Leader of the Council, Sir by all communities; a society in which research and emphasised how a more Simon Milton, launched a report entitled the diversity of people’s background and cohesive society will impact both the ‘Creating the Blueprint for Community circumstances is appreciated and valued; a Police and the youth of Westminster. At Cohesion’ in response to the 7/7 bombings society in which similar life opportunities the event, Cllr Nickie Aiken, underlined her the previous July. The aim was to develop are available to all; and a society in which commitment to the project saying: a better idea of what people thought was strong and positive relationships exist and “Westminster is at the heart of one of needed for a cohesive community and to continue to be developed in the workplace, the most diverse cities in the world...We set forth recommendations. In the report, in schools and in the wider community. are incredibly proud of our diversity and Sir Simon Milton wrote: The commission was convened to discuss consider it one of the city’s key strengths. “Building a common sense of the cohesion, radicalisation and extremism But we know there are still important way forward… establishing new in the round, as set out in its Terms of challenges we need to address to make relationships… connecting ourselves to Reference. Its aim was to take an evidence sure Westminster remains a place where based approach to understand any everyone feels they belong and are safe.”

10 11 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS Cllr Adam Hug, Leader of the Opposition, been undertaken alongside and in the visit to Hackney Council on 19th December In parallel, Westminster launched an Westminster City Council, added: context of the Louise Casey review. 2016 to meet with Cabinet Members, online consultation page, inviting people Policy Communications and Community to share their experiences and stories of “It is vital that the council digs deep into the Tier 2: Local Data Analysis: Engagement officers. The commission community cohesion and a space for them social integration challenges right across were particularly interested in finding out to feed back to the Commission. The commission sought to analyse local our city. I hope the commission will give us about Hackney’s experiences and methods demographics by utilising information the opportunity to do this and review what in approaching similar challenges around Next Steps gathered in the council’s annual City Westminster is doing. Most importantly, we the affordability of housing and changing Survey to gauge how residents feel about The evidence gathering exercise has now must reach out to the communities that are shape of neighbours, who share in the living in Westminster and get a sense of been completed and the findings are most difficult to access.” benefits of prosperity. how far communities are gelling together currently being drawn out. The council at a rudimentary level. Tier 4: Community Engagement: will next produce a report laying out the findings of the evidence gathering and its Evidence Gathering Westminster’s City Survey asks a range of The commission also launched an extensive recommendations. This report is currently questions to gather information on how its engagement programme which included being drafted. The Commission has used a four tiered residents feel about living in Westminster over 25 events (roundtables, evidence approach to gather information and and understand their views on what the sessions, focus groups, attendances at evidence to inform their understanding of Council and its partners are doing well on partner forums and meetings) to further cohesion in Westminster. and what they can improve on. However, understand the barriers to community the commission has focused on the below cohesion within Westminster. Tier 1: Reviewing national policy, areas of interest: literature and developments: • How well different communities in This included reviewing works by Ted Cantle Westminster get on together. but also evaluating the government’s position and responses following events • The depth of interaction between such as the 2001 riots and disturbances, people in the community. 2005 London Bombings and 2015 Charlie Hedbo attacks in Paris. The work has also • Whether residents consider that they feel as if they are a part of their local community.

Tier 3: Benchmarking best practise with neighbouring authorities:

Westminster engaged with other councils, including Hackney, Brent and Redbridge to find out what other local authorities are doing to address local challenges to community cohesion and how they are using their borough’s unique assets to address these challenges.

A key element of this part of the evidence gathering exercise was the commission’s

12 13 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 5. Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets has the fastest growing ‘ethnically’ Bangladeshi population. the vision for the borough where people, specifically funded organisations to: population in the country and is home There are a further 20 migrant groups regardless of their backgrounds, have to one of the country’s most diverse with significant populations of more than the opportunity to achieve their full • Engage and promote greater communities. The borough has always been 1,000 and these include India, China, potential. The Strategic Plan 17/18, involvement of local community groups, a home to migrant communities beginning Italy, France, Somalia, Ireland, Poland, sets out the council’s aim to create withh residents taking ownership in with the French Huguenots in the 16th Australia, Germany, the US and Spain. more engaged, resilient and cohesive response to local issues. Century, followed later by Jewish and Irish communities. One of the four key themes • Bring people of different backgrounds migrants. Bangladeshi residents began Tower Hamlets has the highest percentage of the Tower Hamlets Community Plan, as together to celebrate local identities arriving in the borough during the 1970s. of Muslim residents in England – 35 per part of its priority outcome to create and and culture and develop strong and Somalian residents arrived as seamen and cent compared with the national average maintain a vibrant successful place, is to positive relationships through positive then later as a result of war in Somalia. of 5 per cent, and the lowest proportion of create a Safe and Cohesive Community interactions. Christian residents, 27 per cent compared and, as part of this, the plan highlights with the national average of 59 per cent. a commitment to promote community Tower Hamlets has a population of 284,000, • Ensure the sustainability of projects cohesion. A cohesive community enables and over the last decade the population 74 per cent of the borough’s population through developing new and emerging all to have an equal stake and status in has increased by 34.5 per cent, the largest are aged 16-64, 8th highest in London. The community leaders. the community; where people have the increase of all the local authorities in average age of residents is 31. same opportunities as their neighbours; • Increase the sense of citizenship, and England and Wales. Around 32 per cent of and where people have a commitment and local identity based on common values, the borough’s population increase has been There is a large disparity in wealth between responsibility to contribute to the well- history and culture. due to ‘natural growth’ and the remaining the borough’s richest and poorest residents. It has the highest rate of child poverty in being of their communities. 68 per cent a result of migration. This programme is currently being the country and yet the average salary of Tower Hamlets is a highly diverse borough commissioned as part of a co-production those who work in the borough is £58,000, and its demography enables people of model where: “Professionals and citizens More than 43 per cent of the borough’s the second highest in the country after the different backgrounds to understand one share power to plan and deliver support residents were born outside the UK. This City of London. Data from DCLG Indices of th another and build positive relations. This together, recognising that both partners is the 9 highest percentage nationally (of Deprivation 2015 revealed one quarter (25 is evidenced by the fact that, according have vital contributions to make in order 348 local authority areas). per cent) of the Tower Hamlets population to the borough’s 2017 Annual Residents to improve quality of life for people and live in income deprivation – the 6th highest The migrant population is hugely diverse Survey, 92 per cent of its residents agree communities.1” rate of all English local authority areas, and includes older residents who migrated that people from different backgrounds get and the highest in London; however it has to London decades ago, alongside more on well together; this is up five points from In addition, the council funded an economy worth more than £6 billion a recent arrivals. Some 28 per cent of the the year before (87 per cent) and a new projects which specifically promote the year. The construction of new developments migrant population are long established historical high. understanding and coming together of across the borough, especially around residents who arrived in the UK before different faiths and beliefs. The latest Canary Wharf, is compounding the wealth 1991; 18 per cent arrived between 1991 Diversity on the scale of Tower Hamlets Census results show that around two-thirds divide as more affluent communities are and 2000, and over half (54 per cent) presents countless opportunities for of the borough’s residents ascribe to a faith moving in. arrived between 2001 and 2011. The integration. To facilitate this, Tower or religion, therefore the Council recognises majority migrated to the UK as young Hamlets Council has funded numerous that this is one good way to strengthen adults and children. Strategic Approach to Community projects which strengthen community community cohesion. Cohesion cohesion across the borough. The council The Census identified that Tower Hamlets has also provided grants to voluntary The council works through schools to residents were born in over 200 countries. Tower Hamlets sees social integration as and community sector organisations to increase the understanding of hate crime, First generation Bangladeshi residents part of community cohesion. The Tower deliver small cohesion projects under equalities and community cohesion make up nearly half of the borough’s Hamlets Community Plan 2015 outlines its Mainstream Grants programme. It amongst young people. We have co- developed lesson plans with teachers and

1. National Co-Production Critical Friend

14 15 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS pupils and shared these with schools across Examples of Social Integration and insecurity. wider community in Tower Hamlets. The the borough. Projects undertaken by project began in September 2016 and is schools focus on community activism and projects in LB Tower Hamlets Some actions identified by stakeholders to working with seven student council groups leadership amongst young people to instil address the issues were to: based within schools in the borough; it is a sense of belonging in the community they expected to conclude in summer 2017. New Residents and Refugees Forum • Hold a stall at Praxis offices during live in. (Further details are provided in the national hate crime week at one of case study below) Tower Hamlets Council has commissioned Each school agreed on a community issue their drop in sessions to promote local Praxis, a local organisation which which impacts negatively on community Hate Crime services and methods of Tower Hamlets commissions support, and specialises in working with newly arrived cohesion, then identified and worked reporting. co-ordination of, different borough-wide and longer-settled migrants to deliver with relevant community groups and community engagement forums. Each organisations to address the issues on a a New Residents and Refugee Forum for Both the user group and stakeholder forum meets on a quarterly basis (at least) local level. the borough’s migrant residents. As part meetings are usually well attended and to discuss issues that are important to of this service, the provider engages with have resulted in many positive outcomes The project provided a space for teachers them and to feed into the shaping of local migrants by holding a user group meeting for migrants: since the start of the current to engage in thinking around community services. The council commissions: on a specific theme, such as access to contract in June 2016, outcomes have cohesion, student-led active citizenship health services or hate crimes immediately • Support and development of the Inter included: and the Sustainable Development Goals after the EU Rerefendum, to identify needs Faith Forum. before they took them to the classroom. The or gaps in service and discuss ways in which • A greater awareness amongst migrants provider delivered a half-day CPD which: • Development and co-ordination of this could be addressed. The provider uses of what constitutes a hate crime, the ‘Local Voices’, a forum for disabled this information to produce a briefing importance of reporting hate crimes • Introduced teachers to several tools to people. for stakeholders and hosts a meeting for and different methods in which they measure attitudes around ‘community’ relevant statutory and community service can be reported. and help learners develop empathy • Development and co-ordination of an providers to come together and agree when faced with diverse people • A better understanding among LGBT Community Forum. to address the issues identified by the and views. These were ‘take home’ migrants of the impact of the migrants. Clear actions are identified and activities for teachers to use in their • Development and co-ordination of the government’s Right to Rent scheme these issues are developed into an action first session with student councils. New Residents and Refugees Forum. plan which is delivered through the forum. and their rights in relation to this. • Referred to the Tower Hamlets • Greater confidence amongst migrants By way of an example, some of the issues ‘Getting along together’ document when interacting with Immigration raised by residents and refugees discussing to help teachers assess to what Officers and knowing their rights. hate crime and the EU Referendum were: extent “projects improve community relations, trust and engagement, • Two thirds of the group felt less safe or • A strong and united voice for migrants and develop active, empowered, and comfortable than they had prior to the who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual cohesive citizens and communities.” referendum. or transsexual. • Introduced teachers to ‘Harts • A number had experienced some levels Ladder’ as a means to gauge student of abuse, including people saying involvement in school projects. This things such as; “your benefits are going Creative Communities Project model was used to encourage teachers to stop” and “you’ll be told to go”. Tower Hamlets Council deliveres the to consider how to move children from • People were very aware of press ‘Creative Communities’ project through a charity mind-set to a social justice reports of serious racist incidents and its school library service, which aims to mind-set. The provider emphasised this increased the sense of unease promote cohesion in schools and the that this was about developing

16 17 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS community relationships rather than impact. It used SMART targets to encourage produced by September 2017 and given individuals as ‘community heroes’. fund-raising for the community. It was this thinking in project planning. to schools, as a resource for future school important too that teachers were clear councils. 4. ‘Train the Trainer ’ materials for School these were to be student-led projects, Following Session 1, an online survey Councils in the form of a durable handbook with teachers providing support. was sent to all participating schools, and The project has achieved the following which will be given to schools and used in Developing student leadership and distributed to parents, students, staff and outputs: all the training sessions. These guides will engagement was key to building governors. The purpose of the survey was be left in schools as a resource for future 1. Three ‘Train the Trainer’ training sustainable community relationships. to generate ideas for community cohesion school councils. projects. The results identified the sessions provided to pupils and staff The council ran three training sessions community’s key concerns and indicated to facilitate cohesion projects in the By half term 2018 the borough will also for pupils and staff to facilitate cohesion suggestions for how schools could promote first year. These were delivered as half- have achieved: projects. The main aim of the workshops cohesion in these areas. The survey days on a term-by-term basis. Schools • Lesson plans for teachers, accompanied was to create a space for pupils to raise enabled schools to create projects based council representatives were invited to a by guidance leaflets that invite issues and deliver presentations on on real time based issues, currently ‘hot’ Training Day that brought together the teachers to do some adult level thinking cohesion to their peers in student councils. in the local community, rather than only participating schools in one space. The around the concepts of cohesion and through the school council team. focus of this training was on empowering The council met with student council school council representatives to: equalities. The deliverable lesson plans representatives and introduced them Planning forms designed by the council themselves include exercises around to a baseline audit which they later ran highlighted how each school planned to • understand concepts around hate deeper-level thinking, influenced by with their entire school council, back target the local issue, while building on crime, cohesion and equalities Philosophy for Children approach and at school. It used a ‘problem tree’ and pupils’ knowledge, skills and values as active encouraging pupil voice. • conceive practical deliverable ideas of ‘solution tree’ model to start them thinking citizens. These three areas were previously community projects (using the SMART about community issues. Their teachers referred to in the teachers’ session. Approach going forward model) had prepared these on the Sustainable The final training session for schools Development Goals’ materials. Peer • steps taken to identify and build Development of a community cohesion was held in May 2017. The commitment, feedback was carried out through a ‘wind- relationships with local community strategy enthusiasm and level of organisation among milling’ activity and this created a real buzz partners in the room. It was evident they enjoyed the pupils, and the sense of ownership over The council is working with the Tower sharing their opinions on others’ ideas it, were very impressive. For the session, • delivering projects and considering Hamlets Cohesion Working Group, and listened thoughtfully to feedback. The each school designed a poster about their long-term goals and sustainable the strategic group of community and Council also ran a competition to name the project and held a ‘Show and Tell’ where partnerships from the outset. statutory stakeholders which oversees project, which generated some interesting pupils presented their projects and gave the delivery of cohesion activities in the entries. ‘Creative Communities – Every Child their ‘Story so far….’ All presentations were 2. A system of ongoing support for schools borough, to develop a community cohesion Cares’, was the winning entry. filmed and snippets included in a short film that need extra guidance. strategy for the borough. Some initial shown at the celebration event in July. work has been to undertaken to prepare The second session in January focused 3. A final event is planned for July 6th the ground to develop the strategy; this on sharing good practice in community A filmmaker was employed to create on the Golden Hinde. This event will be includes an exercise with partners and cohesion projects from across the globe. a video of the children’s work. High centred on acknowledging the work of community groups to map all community These videos showed young people as resolution images and videos of each the schools, recognising those projects cohesion initiatives across the borough active ‘change-makers’ and emphasised the school’s project will be passed onto that went the extra mile, and nominating and a discussion on community cohesion idea ‘Start small, think big.’ The Council the filmmaker for a video that can be a ‘Best Project’ initiative. Rather than priorities with partners. It is envisaged was aware of the pressures on the school embedded on the council’s website as having a competitive ‘Prize-giving’ that the strategy will be ready for launch in timetable and was keen to keep the work well as schools’ websites as a legacy of system, the idea will be to commend spring 2018. load to a minimum, but with maximum the project. A durable handbook ill be exceptional work and hard-working

18 19 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 6. Driving Integration Forward Jill Rutter, Director of Strategy and Relationships, British Future

Mainstreaming community cohesion organisations, local people and other London is a city ever. Social contact enables bridges to stakeholders to co-develop a Cohesion of confidence be built between people of different The council will be mainstreaming Outcomes Framework and Specification for and success, but backgrounds, for values to be shared and community cohesion in services across community-based projects which will work also of class, tensions to be resolved. the organisation. Some of this work has towards achieving the agreed outcomes. ethnic, faith and already begun. The Housing Strategy age divides. It Despite its importance, the UK’s 2016-21 recognises that a key role of the This is a step away from having projects has a long and integration record is mixed. While there council is to foster community spirit and which have a focus on outputs and a step proud history has been no shortage of rhetoric, there strengthen community cohesion, as the towards having projects which work to of ethnic tolerance and its schools are has never been a national strategy on profile of the borough in terms of race, age achieve an agreed outcome. To deliver a an integration success story. But there integration that has committed the and income is changing. programme of services divided equally are significant integration challenges in government to action. But opportunities across the borough, it was decided to spilt the capital – around population churn, have now opened up for real and lasting In April 2016, in recognition of the impact the borough into four clusters of wards and English language fluency, unemployment change. The EU referendum has focused of new developments on cohesion, the two projects were allocated to each ward in some communities, as well as attention on divisions in society and there Tower Hamlets Planning Contributions cluster. The projects will be commissioned social isolation and extremism. Local is now commitment across government Overview Panel (PCOP) agreed to in summer 2017 and will run from government, linked to city-wide and to address these. In December 2016, the allocate Section 106 funding from two September 2017. national government, has a key role in independent Casey Review on Integration developments to fund the delivery of healing this divisions. was published. The Government will cohesion projects focusing on the Mile End respond to this later in 2017, and set and Aldgate East Master plan areas. Both Integration is a contested term, and it out its direction of policy. Communities projects are being commissioned using a is important to engage Londoners of all Secretary, Sajid Javid is taking forward co-production model and aim to increase backgrounds in a conversation about this work and involving all government participation in the local community, what this means. British Future has been departments. In London, the Mayor has build local neighbourhood groups that undertaking such an exercise in public appointed Matthew Ryder as a deputy bring people from different backgrounds engagement. We are a think tank that has mayor for social integration. together and hold events that increase unique expertise on public attitudes to cross-cultural understanding. The projects immigration and integration. Our long For the first time in many years, we have will be designed to support robust and term aim is a country where we are no a commitment to turn rhetoric about sustainable outcomes, with continuing longer ‘them’ and ‘us’, but a confident, integration into policy reality. To deliver value. inclusive country that is welcoming and for London, it needs to involve everyone: fair to all. national government, the mayor, local Co-production and outcomes-focussed authorities, civil society organisations, commissioning At British Future we have been talking to business and communities themselves. members of the public, through the National In undertaking this work, we will need to Tower Hamlets Council recognises that Conversation on Immigration. People balance programmes of work that focus on services are better delivered and are have told us that they see integration as a all Londoners and those that target specific more ‘fit-for-purpose’ when stakeholders process of mutual accommodation between groups or communities, as well as initiatives and services users are involved in the different sections of society. It involves that celebrate integration and those that development and production of services. fairness and equality, as well as social tackle difficult issues such as extremism. This is why it is piloting the co-production connectedness and participation. model of engagement with local So what should local authorities consider? stakeholders in commissioning community At a time when immigration, ethnic First, they need to consult their local cohesion projects. The council worked and faith diversity are such high profile populations about the society that they with representatives of voluntary sector issues, integration matters more than want. Integration is an everyone issue, and

20 21 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 7. Hackney

all sectors of society need to be involved. Overview of Hackney below £600,000 (the London average is £500,000). Just over two fifths of housing Through their adult education services, Hackney is an inner London borough is social rented, although the private they deliver much high quality English rented sector is growing and represents language provision. We all need a situated to the north east of the centre. It has an estimated population of 269,000, nearly a third of all households. language in common, but the last Census and this is set to exceed 300,000 by 2027. showed that 320,000 Londoners could Social integration: strengths not speak English well or at all. Local authorities could play a role in driving It is a relatively young borough, with From the perspective of social integration, innovation and improved language 45 per cent of its population under Hackney’s most recent residents’ survey, provision, particularly for those groups 30. Hackney has seen many waves of conducted in December 2015 indicates who find to difficult to get to college. immigration and is culturally diverse, with some key strengths. Levels of community Since many social relationships are significant ‘other white,’ black and Turkish cohesion have remained very high since forged in the workplace, English populations. There is a long established, 2013, with nine in ten residents surveyed language provision needs to be linked to and are more effective. and growing population of Charedi Jewish agreeing that the local area is a place careers’ advice and training for groups people to the north east of the borough in where people from different backgrounds experiencing unemployment. Already, as this publication shows, Stamford Hill. Most significant amongst get along well with each other and the London’s boroughs are taking forward recent arrivals are people from Western same proportion placing a strong value Local authorities have planning powers work that brings their communities Europe, Australia and the United States. on social mixing. Residents are also more and drive through many new housing together. It is essential that this is shared likely to agree than disagree that the developments. The layout of the built and we learn from each other. Strong demographic make-up of Hackney has environment affects social integration. Just over a third of residents are Christian and confident local government is key to changed for the better. There is also an We need to bring the planners into the and there are significant Jewish and driving integration forward in a London interest in encouraging and supporting integration debate, and protect our Muslim populations, as well as a higher we all want to call home. community projects. This was the fifth parks and town centres as sites of social proportion of people with no religion than most frequent response to the question interaction. London or England overall. “What could we do differently” in the It is council registrars that officiate at There has been rapid economic growth community conversation, “Hackney a citizenship ceremonies. In London we over the last decade and the number Place for Everyone?” which the council ran need to increase the uptake of British of businesses has grown by 68 per cent during 2015. citizenship, embed voter registration and since 2004. Housing affordability is a key civic participation in the citizenship and concern, with average house prices just Social integration: challenges celebrate our new Londoners by using iconic locations to hold the ceremonies. Despite there being greater economic Volunteering brings people together, opportunity, a significant number of enabling links to be forged across age, local people continue to face persistent faith, ethnic and class divides. Local inequalities and are disproportionately authorities are uniquely placed to affected by poverty, unemployment, promote volunteering and strengthen long term health conditions and welfare their many civil society organisations. It dependency. There are also groups who is not just about funding, but also about are in work but are struggling with the strategy, making sure that civil society rising cost of living as well as job and wage organisations do not duplicate their work insecurity. There is a marked difference

22 23 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS between the proportion of residents who response to this engagement, the Mayor’s residents’ views, and finding ways to feel people from different backgrounds opening talks about how: “Our sense of hear the voice of newer or less heard get on well together (90 per cent) and the community remains strong, but there are communities and keeping the strains proportion who people from different socio- people who feel increasingly excluded and and tensions under review. economic backgrounds get on well together left behind. Some of our long-standing (70 per cent). Some of the main challenges communities feel they can’t access the new • Setting a clear vision for place and relate to the way the population and jobs and opportunities that are the result looking at the big picture when making economy have grown and changed over the of Hackney’s economic growth, and I want decisions and the impact across the last decade, leading to social polarisation to do more to assure this is addressed.” whole borough and on cohesion. and social isolation for some groups. In • Encouraging a diverse range of people a busy, congested and densely populated Where Hackney may differ from other areas to get involved in community and place, there are also tensions between is that ethnicity and faith are not seen civic life –e.g. through investment in different groups or between residents be done to fight the injustice that where by policy makers or residents as the main volunteering and grants programmes and businesses about the way spaces are you are born or live in this country, your drivers of difference in communities, or of background or even your gender, can affect social exclusion or isolation. The way the used. The 2015 community conversation • Creating diverse routes for residents how you get on in modern Britain.” borough’s economy and population have “Hackney a Place for Everyone?” explores to contribute their views, beyond grown and changed are seen as greater these issues further. Some feel the borough traditional approaches to consultation Hackney does not refer explicitly to social risks to cohesion and exclusion and this is no longer “for them” as it looks and feels and engagement. integration in its key policy documents. is identified in the ten year community very different and people may have lost Hackney’s 2007 Cohesion Review examines their social networks or spaces because strategy adopted in 2008. This has framed During 2015-16, Hackney Council carried whether Hackney’s communities are Hackney’s response since then. Specific people and businesses have been priced cohesive, defining this as: “Where out a major borough-wide engagement out. There is a perception that the features recommendations for cohesion were exercise, asking residents for their views people from different backgrounds live adopted by Cabinet in 2010 and these that make Hackney seem ‘special’ are at and work comfortably alongside their about the way Hackney had changed risk. There is also a feeling that some people underpin Hackney’s approach today, which over the past decade. By doing this, they neighbours” and asks whether Hackney’s focuses on: need to be better neighbours, to show more communities are resilient: “Where people tapped into these ongoing conversations, consideration and to take greater care of as well as convening conversations and and communities are able to cope with • Tackling persistent inequalities, the environment. Residents are split over mediating different views. This wide changes in their lives and communities focusing on opportunity, whether or not they agree that jobs are ranging extensive campaign sought to without blame or undue tension.” However empowerment and prosperity. accessible to them personally, and/ or to social integration is implicit in policy engage with residents in a variety of the population equally in Hackney. documents as there is a consistent focus • Considering the impact of cohesion ways through debates and deliberative on “opportunity and prosperity for all” arising from population and economic events, face-to-face surveys at over 50 What is the local authority’s and on narrowing the gap in outcomes growth and identifying ways to locations in the borough resulting in 2980 strategy for driving social between certain disadvantaged groups mitigate this. responses, video feedback via a specially modified ‘I Love Hackney’ black taxi cab integration? and the wider community. Framed by this policy position, many strategic • Providing opportunities for and targeted focus groups. Ipsos MORI programmes, developed by the council residents to come together, whilst were also commissioned to run a repeat Louise Casey defines integration as: acknowledging these events can also of a residents survey last undertaken in “Not just how well we get on with each in recent years carefully consider how social integration is promoted. The year impact on cohesion if they are not 2013 which provided responses from a other but how well we all do compared to inclusive;. representative sample of 1,002 residents each other…[considering] what divides long “Hackney a Place for Everyone?” engagement and consultation begins to aged 16+ as a comparator. Scrutiny communities and gives rise to anxiety, • Taking an evidence based approach, explore more explicitly with residents, Commissions carried out parallel reviews, prejudice, alienation and a sense of staying up to date with the changing the ways in which people are left behind, for example one which engaged children grievance; and to look again at what could profile of Hackney’s residents and of marginalised or excluded. In the initial and young people.

24 25 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS Measuring social progress Developing responses better coordinated services and community young people. Inspired by the Harlem led support improve individual outcomes Children’s Zone in New York, Peabody and contribute to community cohesion. and Hackney Council are developing an There is no one measure of social Programmes which promote social approach that aims to ensure every child progress which can usefully be adopted integration are developed through Pembury Children’s Community and young person has the support they to understand if progress is being made a regular review of these indicators need, when they need it, so they are able on social integration. It is necessary to when the Council reviews progress to thrive and get the best out of life. This consider a suite of indicators which seek to: against the Community Strategy and Pembury is a housing estate of involves: against its equality objectives. Cabinet approximately 3,500 people in the • Examine outcomes for different groups Members are closely involved in steering centre of Hackney that has a very diverse • A long term focus on a specific over time, to see if the gap between programmes and in presenting the work community with over 80 per cent of neighbourhood. these groups and the population to residents. This is an important part of residents from BME groups. The estate • An in-depth understanding of the overall is narrowing. their community leadership role, giving has had significant investment in recent community, both its assets and needs. assurance to residents that tackling years, but despite this, children and young • Understand community tensions: inequalities and good community relations people growing up on Pembury still face Hackney has adopted a community • Partners working together to co- matter. There is also a local leadership many more challenges than their peers tension log which collates insight ordinate support from ‘cradle to role for backbench members. Ward forums from less disadvantaged neighbourhoods. from surveys, media coverage and career’, working across children’s have been set up to enable ward members Pembury is also often viewed negatively by stakeholder perspectives. school, home and community lives. to convene meetings about local issues; the outside world, a stigma exacerbated by the riots which occurred nearby in 2011. • Seek resident views on community in many cases these have been about The vision is that by 2025 Pembury will be: Some new thinking was needed to make relations and belonging, through contentious or divisive issues and have a real difference in the lives of Pembury • A neighbourhood where people are formal household surveys and through been a way to mediate divergent views and © LB Hackney 2017 proud to live. other routes to reach newer or less perspectives, even if it is not possible to reach a consensus. heard communities. • A community where people from all backgrounds come together, where • Seek resident views of the Council A strategic review of progress against the everyone matters and there are and statutory sector in terms of Community Strategy in 2013/14 identified opportunities for all. whether they are trusted and seen as growing concerns about economic and social polarisation. Following this review, responsive;. • A place where young people are the Council formally launched a ten year encouraged, inspired and empowered • Gauge levels of participation in programme and partnership to improve to get the best out of life. community life through levels of outcomes for young black men which volunteering and the diversity of responded to the fact that young black Partners include Hackney Council, residents reached through grant men experience disproportionately worse Peabody, schools, health services and the programmes. outcomes across a range of areas. It was voluntary sector. Together, we want to around the same time, in 2014, that the connect both children and their parents council and Peabody launched the Pembury to the existing services in the borough, Children’s Community which aims to bringing services closer to the community significantly improve the lives of the 1,000 when needed and exploring how they could children and young people living on and be shaped and improved. Alongside this, around the Pembury estate in Hackney. we are working to build the capacity of An evaluation will seek to understand at the community and individuals to support a more granular level the ways that both one another and help themselves, drawing

26 27 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS on the many talents and resourcefulness Together, Peabody and Hackney Learning The work is championed by Cllr Bramble, Empowering the community of Pembury residents. Pembury is one of Trust brought adult education assessments Deputy Mayor and lead Cabinet Member for three pilot Children’s Communities in the and courses onto the estate, supporting Children and Young People, and steered UK that are being championed by Save the 22 parents to enrol on literacy, numeracy, by a multi-agency partnership that was • Community leadership Children and evaluated by Sheffield Hallam IT and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other set up in January 2015. The programme University. The Children’s Community Languages) courses seeks to improve life chances for future • Improving outcomes for young black was launched in 2015/16 and in the first generations of young men as well as co- men two years engaged 659 children and 357 45 per cent of the 24 parents that ordinating support and opportunities for • Young men at risk and community parents. All the community initiatives on completed a Strengthening Families, those who are 18- 25 now. There are many safety the estate, led by residents, Peabody, and Strengthening Communities course said black boys, young black men and black that it had improved how they felt about partners have operated out of temporary families that are succeeding in Hackney • Mental health buildings in the past. From October their relationship with their child. 69 per and it is vitally important that this work 2015, all these projects moved into a new cent thought it had a positive impact on does not stereotype or problematize • Regeneration and opportunity flagship Community Centre, serving the their child’s self-esteem black men or the black community; the Pembury neighbourhood six days a week. focus of this programme is on harnessing The majority of residents (74 per cent) felt Culture and Identity The centre continues to grow: hosting the potential of successful young black that Pembury is becoming a better place to the local children’s centre, surgeries from men, increasing their visibility as well as live and 85 per cent were ‘very positive’ or • Valuing heritage and celebrating community psychologists and midwives tackling inequalities where they do exist. ‘positive’ about being part of the Pembury success and a wide range of wellbeing activities The programme sets some clear ambitions community delivered by the voluntary sector, to reduce disproportionality over the • Behaviour, lifestyles, culture and alongside youth work, parents groups and next 10 years. In November 2015 partners identity activities for older people, with an average Improving Outcomes for Young agreed a Theory of Change setting out the of 450 visitors each week. Black Men assumptions for why outcomes for young Headline summary of key black men were disproportionately worse achievements Particularly relevant for this case study Hackney Council, the local umbrella for the than the wider population. Partners also is the progress being made to reach voluntary and community sector, Hackney identified a series of actions to consider. • A programme led by head teachers has and engage residents and offer new CVS (HCVS) and local partner agencies, Since November 2015, a number of been established to address inequalities opportunities. For example: have worked with young people and parents working groups were been set up to further in exclusions, behaviour and to launch an ambitious programme to consider evidence and finalise a set of The Pembury Pass project for 16 to 24 achievement – recognising the impact improve outcomes for young black men. This actions which are now in place, under the year-olds has provided 64 young people that the individual actions of a school responds to the fact that young black men following workstreams: can have on the wider community. with intensive one to one support and (YBM) tend to fare worse than their peers in coaching in the past two years. 12 of many ways, from poorer educational results these have been supported out of a severe to higher offending rates. This has been crisis situation and 35 have moved into a problem for many years and there have Improving Life Chances for Black education, training or employment. been many responses from public bodies Boys and from the community, but they have not Since April 2015, Peabody has supported had the impact needed. Rather than tackle 169 local people into jobs. • Role of schools individual problems, their approach involves 112 parents have regularly engaged in local people, the voluntary and community • Trust between parents and the informal support networks including a Dads sector and the statutory sector in shaping statutory sector group, parents coffee mornings and Reading and delivering solutions, with young people • Family health and wellbeing from the Start family learning sessions. at the heart of this.

28 29 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS • All members of the partnership have and the Cabinet lead and six monthly process. Some of these are: agreed to participate in a challenging partnership meetings. University of East programme of culture change. London were engaged to offer critical • Concerns about some communities challenge to partners whilst they were becoming more isolated and segregated • The local Clinical Commissioning developing the theory of change in 2015. and possibly holding negative views Group (CCG) have set up a Reach Their feedback directly influenced the final about the wider community, despite and Resilience Programme as part theory of change. They have also developed overall levels of cohesion and tolerance. of the Child and Adolescent Mental an evaluation framework which will be used • The need to continue to build a strong Health Service to address specific to assess robustness of design and impact. sense of community by finding new community issues and community ways to engage as wide a range of solutions, focusing in year one on black Now key actions have been agreed, residents as possible, engaging with communities. partners are turning their attention to: grassroots community networks and • Working on strategic fundraising bids making it easier to volunteer. • East London Foundation Trust are co- to secure resources to increase the delivering workshops with HCVS with level of community engagement. • Tackling the borough’s growing young black men to test different ways inequality with a renewed approach to of supporting mental wellbeing based • Developing the leadership role of economic and community development on a strengths based approach. the youth advisory group of young that rethinks what we mean by black men who steer and shape the prosperity and how we harness benefits • Public Health have committed to programme and deliver engagement. for local people. run Mental Health First Aid training targeted at frontline workers to help • Engaging partners who have not been • Understanding the main lines of your black men receive earlier help. involved to date such as the judiciary. tension and develop different ways to promote tolerance and • HCVS has continued to run a holistic • Convening academics, think tanks, neighbourliness. personalised programme aimed at central and regional government getting 18-24 year old black men into and other local authorities to look • Understanding how Brexit and recent work, with 40 per cent of young black at the issues identified through the terrorist attacks impact on Hackney’s men gaining employment. programme, to share practice and population and on community cohesion identify common issues and shared and resilience. • HCVS have continued to engage young agendas to progress together people as inspirational leaders and developed a cohort of community Conclusions and next steps for organisations committed to the Hackney programme, particularly in relation to YBM parental engagement and support. Hackney Council is currently in the process of adopting a new ten year strategy, setting This is a wide ranging programme involving out a new vision for place, informed by the a range of partners. It is overseen by the “Hackney a Place for Everyone” engagement Policy and Partnerships team at the council along with an analysis of trends and issues. who undertake ongoing planning and This will be an opportunity to refresh our LB Hounslow programme management, underpinned approach to social integration, responding by six weekly meetings with key officers to new challenges identified through the

30 31 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 8. Hounslow

For the last two years, the local strategic the England average (ranked 151 out individuals and communities to cope with partnership, the Hounslow Together of 326 England LAs in 2015 Index of shocks. Board, has focused on the challenges of Multiple Deprivation), but severe relative The core of this notion of resilience, is substantial population growth and churn, deprivation seems to have worsened the understanding that the connections the resulting effects on social support and slightly. The proportion of children living and relationships between people at a wellbeing, as well as increasing service in poverty ranges across Hounslow’s wards, neighbourhood level help people to manage demand at a time of heightened budgetary from 12 per cent (Hounslow South) to 40 and cope with change. This led the Board to pressures. The Board has initiated two per cent (Isleworth). initiate two innovative projects to test and innovative projects to better understand Generally, Hounslow is considered a develop the hypothesis and thinking. ‘community resilience’- the ability of a welcoming borough with 87 per cent of community and individuals within it to The first project is the development of a tool residents across the borough agreeing cope and support one another and develop to map and measure ‘community resilience’, that people from different backgrounds new responses. which includes measures of ‘neighbourhood get on well together2. Around three fifths support. The second, Cranford Stronger (58 per cent) of residents agree that Together, is a proof of concept project to people in their local area pull together The first is a borough-level project to try look at whether we might support people to to improve the local area. However some and measure what we understand as the develop their own personal social networks initial qualitative work conducted as part key aspects of community resilience. The as a means to improve their own wellbeing of our Community Resilience Measure second is a pilot project which looks at how and develop their own personal resilience. we might intervene to change and develop suggested that there are challenges for networks at an individual level, in order to born outside the UK. Migration tended to areas that face new rapid change, churn As discussed below, these projects on improve wellbeing and test whether this be concentrated in certain areas of the and population growth for the first time. personal and community resilience aim to might reduce reliance on services. borough, but this is changing with higher place relationships, social networks and rates of migration. A comparison of the neighbourhood support. Hence ‘resilience’ 2001 and 2011 Census shows that there The local authority’s strategy for becomes a means to understand Background are significantly more areas with new the workings of cohesion and social migration. driving social integration integration at a local level. The London Borough of Hounslow is an Hounslow also has one of the most Hounslow deputy Leader Cllr Mann chairs outer London Borough with a population In 2011, the Local Strategic Partnership diverse populations in London. In 2011, the Hounslow Together Board which is of 253,957. The borough faces high levels Hounslow Together Board developed the the three most common ethnicities were made up of representatives from the of churn and change, as one of the most Future Borough Strategy. This sustainable white British, Indian and Pakistani. The council and local partners, including rapidly growing boroughs in London. community strategy provided the borough has a number of recently emerging Hounslow Youth Council, Hounslow Between 2001 and 2011 census, the overarching strategy for the borough area. populations, including Afghan, Algerian, Economic Business Forum and Voluntary population growth was 20 per cent which is Bulgarian, Burmese, Romanian, Sri Lankan Even though this strategy provided broad and Community Sector Representatives. predicted to increase further by 2020. and Nepalese communities. Diversity is strategic direction and a long term vision There is also significant population churn increasing: in 2011, 49 per cent of borough for economic, social and environmental Cllr Mann writes of the board: in Hounslow. The 2011 Census revealed residents were from BAME backgrounds wellbeing, the board was keen to use “I have chaired the Hounslow Together that 15 per cent of residents lived at (ONS Census). As of 2016, this is now 51 per the strategic space created to look at board for two years. The nature of the another address 12 months before Census. cent and projected to rise further (GLA). the challenges that churn, change and board has evolved over time and it has In some areas this is as high as 35 per cent. More than half of Hounslow’s population population growth might place on the taken the form of a ‘think tank’-type space borough and on communities. It was Furthermore, there are relatively high lives within the lower half of the national for strategic stakeholders to engage on hypothesised that churn, change and rates of migration into Hounslow. In scale of deprivation. Overall levels of the critical long term issues facing our growth may affect the resilience of 2011, 43.3 per cent of the population was deprivation in the borough are close to borough. It is very rare opportunity to 2. London Borough of Hounslow Resident Survey 2016 conducted by Opinion Research Services for London Borough of Hounslow

32 33 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS meet with local leaders in a dedicated resilience - the ability of a community and These “resilience clusters”describe key and to identify the questions that will make space where we work in a collaborative individuals within it to cope and support aspects of resilience; up the wellbeing and resilience measures. manner to envision, test and trial one another - is central to dealing with A cluster analysis was then performed to innovation and different ways of working. changes at a local level, particularly in the • Low wellbeing: lower satisfaction with group the questions and factors together In the context of funding cuts and context of significant reductions in public life overall, income, amount of leisure to develop clusters of respondents with increasing pressures on local authorities, sector spending. However, the scale and time, and concerns about managing different levels of resilience. the voluntary sector and our partners, nature of population growth, churn and financially. these spaces are unusual but necessary if change in Hounslow risks fragmenting By analysing who lives in an area, the • High wellbeing: higher satisfaction we are to proactively plan for the future. communities and undermining their different clusters are represented within with life overall, income, amount ability to cope. the population which enables a prediction “Considering the resilience of our of leisure time, and concerns about of strengths and weaknesses of the area communities to support each other and The resilience measure developed for managing financially. and paints a picture of its likely resilience. respond to change is a key area of focus Hounslow has used WARM (Wellbeing and This is then tested against actual data • Neighbourhood support: high social for Hounslow, as it impacts on people’s Resilience Measure) framework developed about the place. This is exploratory and solidarity and high belonging wellbeing as well as future demands for by the Young Foundation as the starting experimental work. point. This was reviewed and revised to services. The Hounslow Together Board • Isolation: low levels of belonging and account for new data, particular needs in This report shows how the resilience have championed these projects to develop local levels of social solidarity innovative ways of approaching and Hounslow, and to make the framework more assessment maps across Hounslow’s thinking about these issues. We want to streamlined and accessible. • Competence: high levels of capability neighbourhoods, and discusses the detail ensure that the borough is a place where The resilience measure developed for and low levels of stress of our approach to analysing the data. people enjoy living and choose to stay Hounslow draws on two types of data: These were mapped visually. The maps throughout their lives.” • Emotional fragility: high levels of • Hard data, that describes the stress and low levels of capability of most relevance in terms of social Project examples circumstances of small areas in terms integration are Neighbourhood Support, of service use, or social needs. This is To create the resilience clusters, the Social Isolation and Competence which are below. generally broken down to lower level Life team conducted a factor analysis to Community Resilience Measure super output areas (LSOA). investigate how different USS questions Under the guidance of the Local Strategic relate to the core concepts of resilience • Predictive data drawn from national Partnership, Hounslow Together surveys held by government or commissioned Social Life to develop a research councils. This has been predictive mapping and insight tool to modelled to predict key elements of consider community resilience3. resilience at the very local level. This is This predictive tool uses data from at output area (OA) level. the Understanding Society Survey to highlight areas where there We have identified the six predictive may be challenges with wellbeing, “resilience clusters” - groupings of people neighbourhood support, isolation and likely to have similar characteristics competence. We have been testing this indicating resilience - through a factor visual mapping tool and compared it to analysis. This offers a detailed analysis our own ‘hard data.’ We are increasingly of the relationship between responses to confident of its ability to ‘red flag’ areas different questions about how people feel where resilience might be an issue. about the places they, as live reported in the Understanding Society Survey (USS). The key working assumption is that

3. The Community Resilience Measure builds off the WARM (Wellbeing and Resilience Measure) framework developed by the Young Foundation. This has been reviewed and revised to take account of new data and Hounslow’s particular needs. Hounslow’s focus has been on community resilience and we have looked at four resilience clusters: Wellbeing, Competence, Neighbourhood Support, Isolation and Emotionally fragility. An outline of the methodology is available here. For an update of this work

see this presentation on the Community Resilience Model 2017 © LB Hounslow

34 35 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS Based on an analysis of the hard and In 2015, the RSA conducted network person’s needs and priorities. predictive data, areas were identified analysis and ethnographic research on Additionally the project will also help to where information appeared to be the estate. 14 per cent of the population link together various groups, centres and contradictory. Using an asset mapping completed surveys on wellbeing, social organisations in the area so that people approach, Hounslow explored these areas networks and service use. The research can meet and get to know each other and to try and understand the local dynamics revealed a highly fragmented and isolated undertake new activities as a community. and test the model. community, illustrated in the social network map below: Quantitative and qualitative data will be The qualitative validation process helped collected and analysed throughout the us to develop a ‘rich picture’ of the area intervention with each individual. In- and test hypothesis developed from the Social network map made up of depth analysis of the data and project data. Initially the focus was on areas answers to all social connections design will be evaluated by a team at the where there seemed to be a difference questions in the survey. The University of Bradford. between the hard and predictive data, and fragmented nature of the social this has been extended as we have looked network can be observed by at other areas and issues. the array of isolated small Conclusion groups around the outskirts of the map: these are the unique We have used the Community Resilience Both of these projects are exciting, Tool on two levels, firstly as a borough- social connections reported by different survey respondents innovative initiatives which draw on the wide insight tool and secondly as a local that do not connect to other strategic leadership of partners with a real level to understand a specific issue. We respondents’ networks. desire to investigate how social networks, are becoming increasingly confident that community support and relationships work this tool helps to flag and identify areas together at a community level and how of where resilience might be an interest they might support and hinder community or concern and to provide us with a set resilience. of measures to better understand how © LB Hounslow 2017 communities might react to change. Initial work in both these projects suggests The research also concluded that low that resilience is a complex interplay of personal, community and environmental wellbeing correlated significantly with factors. The connections between people high public service use, as ‘struggling’ Cranford Stronger Together have the potential to both promote and individuals often faced multiple, hinder neighbourhood cohesion and interrelated problems. The Cranford Stronger Together (CST) integration. We are hoping that by looking Project is an 18-month ‘proof of concept’ Based on this research, the project will work at how we might measure community project to prove that by strengthening with 50-60 very high service users referred resilience and help people to develop their an individual’s social networks, we can from six service areas A Networks Officer social networks, we might develop a more improve wellbeing and resilience, and will engage one-on-one with individuals nuanced understanding of relationships reduce social isolation and reliance upon that have been identified as socially and how they underpin positive social services. It focuses on the Meadows Estate isolated and high service users by selected integration and community cohesion. (1,755 residents), one of the top 10 per service providers. The Network Officer will The rigorous approach discussed above in cent most deprived in the country with help individuals to understand their social documenting, measuring and recording our high economic inactivity, children living in networks (how to build, make and keep findings shall enable the board to use this income-deprived households and high users close relationships and new connections) work to inform future policy development of services. and levels of wellbeing. Support from the and thinking around communities, social Network Officer will be tailored to each cohesion and integration.

36 37 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 9. London is a Different Story Jacqui Broadhead, Senior Researcher, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS), University of Oxford

While promoting There are many existing positive local social integration initiatives, both in the UK and overseas and inclusion is which demonstrate how London could lead often seen as a the way as an inclusive city. For London, national policy there are three areas which could be debate, many of immediately drawn from and developed: the interventions • Crafting a narrative of welcoming and necessary inclusion which draws on the history to promote the successful inclusion of and culture of the city to influence and newcomers actually sit at the local and shape both local authority provision regional level. and that of partners. Cities in general, and London in particular, • Building on existing and emerging are well placed to view diversity as an areas of good practice to grow the offer opportunity to be realized and an asset for newcomers – in particular in relation to be harnessed. Many of the policy levers to the provision of advice and English already sit within boroughs and many language provision. changes would require commitment and leadership to galvanise change rather than • Using the opportunities presented by a significant commitment of additional devolution to act as a place shaper and resources. Local government is also where draw in new partners – with a particular the consequences of social exclusion focus on how employers could help to on this agenda - through the appointment some children, this may mean supporting are most keenly felt and so have a direct lead and support an inclusive agenda. of the Deputy Mayor for Social Inclusion, them to apply for the citizenship that they the Citizenship Initiative and the London is are entitled to, for others it may mean incentive to take a leadership role in social New York offers a powerful example of how inclusion. There is a significant opportunity Open campaign. The next step for London simply providing access to appropriate a city administration can offer leadership will be to link these messages through to advice - either way it could use local for the GLA and London boroughs to step in the face of gridlock at the national forward and provide energetic and proactive the day to day service provision within the authority practice to enfranchise and level. The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant GLA and individual boroughs. support young people in London. leadership on this agenda. Affairs offers both practical solutions to London’s outlook of openness and the everyday barriers to participation Alongside developing the narrative of Similarly, many boroughs have already welcoming, in common with many that newcomers face - such as their ID inclusion, there are a number of areas in participated in the Syrian Vulnerable cities, creates a space for change. In card scheme (ID NYC) and their network which many London boroughs already Persons Resettlement Scheme and the terms of public attitudes, while national of free immigration advice delivered in operate and could build out their offer to lessons from resettlement have thrown up public opinion broadly favours reducing community venues (Action NYC.) However, match this culture of welcoming. Many areas where provision could be improved immigration, this is not the case in London4 possibly their most valuable contribution children in care have uncertain immigration in order to facilitate inclusion, both for where residents are less likely to favour to integration and inclusion is in crafting status - either as Unaccompanied Asylum resettled refugees but also for the wider sharp reductions in migration than the rest a narrative of welcoming which builds on Seeking Children (UASCs) or as the children population. For example, learning English of the country - and this holds true for UK the history of New York as a city built on of undocumented migrants. Ensuring that provides a gateway to integration - but the born Londoners as well as other groups. migration and which links that history to these children get the immigration advice current provision does not allow for the London’s different context means that there a culture of pride and openness but also, that they need is one very direct way that intensive ESOL provision that would make a is space for a different conversation on crucially to tangible service delivery in boroughs could support children for whom real difference to integrating all newcomers inclusion and how London can be welcoming relation to access to justice, citizenship and they have a corporate parent responsibility as quickly as possible, including within the to its newest residents, while supporting tackling child poverty. It is encouraging to feel included in the societies that they labour market. Relatively small changes to and including all Londoners. to see the recent developments in London will belong to on reaching adulthood. For front line practices and provision have a

4. www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Briefing-Public_Opinion_Immigration_Attitudes_Concern.pdf

38 39 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 10. Lewisham

value, not only in and of themselves, but it meaningful for the day to day life of Social integration and refugees contributing to supportive communities, as a wider signal of intent as a practical Londoners and harnessing the full potential A surge in migration from war-torn regions with opportunities for volunteerism and commitment to being welcoming and of the city’s diversity. in Middle East, particularly from Syria in philanthropy to empower citizens to be inclusive across the board. 2015, captured the UK public’s attention involved in their local area and responsive to Beyond these specific policy levers the needs of those who live there. The two Jacqui Broadhead is a Senior Researcher at and many Lewisham citizens had lobbied relating to existing local authority government schemes – the Syrian Vulnerable the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society the Mayor to offer a way to support Syrian practice, devolution and the role of (COMPAS) at the University of Oxford. In refugees. A town-twinning event held in Persons Resettlement Programme (SVPR) boroughs and City Hall as place shapers August 2016, she undertook a Winston Lewisham in January 2016 saw the Mayor of and the Vulnerable Children Resettlement offers a wider role to facilitate a broader Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship visiting Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, a municipality Scheme (VCR) - were used as a way to city wide conversation on inclusion, cities in Italy and the US to look at examples promote volunteering and the activity of bringing in new and different voices. in Berlin with a similar population to of best practice in how cities integrate voluntary and community organisations. Newcomers contribute hugely to the Lewisham, explain to the Mayor of Lewisham, migrants. At COMPAS she leads the Inclusive The resettlement of the refugee families also economic prosperity of London and Sir Steve Bullock, and others present Cities project - a knowledge exchange employers across the private and public including community groups, that they had championed diversity and the contributions initiative working with UK cities to improve sector benefit from the prosperity driven taken in approximately 5000 Syrian refugees of different communities. their inclusive practices for both newcomers by growth. Employers could have a more at this point. and receiving communities. https://www. As a result of the council’s proactive central role in the inclusion debate - both compas.ox.ac.uk/project/inclusive-cities/ in creating the inclusive society that will The UK national government agreed to approach, the council’s corporate policy continue to attract the best global talent formally resettle 20,000 Syrians in the UK of developing opportunities for the active to London, but also in ensuring that through two formal schemes, through which participation and engagement of people growth is inclusive by encouraging routes it would work with the United Nations High in the life of the community (‘Community into employment and progression for Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to Leadership and Empowerment’) has been all Londoners. Local authorities and the resettle those families who were found to be strengthened. The arrival of families has GLA have a real role to play in convening particularly vulnerable: the Syrian Vulnerable inspired volunteerism and philanthropy in and shaping this increased engagement. Persons Resettlement (SVPR) Programme and various community groups and individuals One example from the US is from Walmart ranging from donation of goods and Foundation which identified a problem the Vulnerable Children Resettlement (VCR) furniture, through to intensive ESOL lessons, with its rates of internal promotion due to Scheme. Lewisham agreed to resettle 10 and invitations to community choirs and low levels of English Language proficiency Syrian families in the first instance through within its frontline staff. It worked with the SVPR programme in September 2016, offers of music lessons. the National Immigration Foundation with the first family arriving in February The five objectives of Lewisham’s to develop an English Language 2017. Later, the council also agreed to accept Comprehensive Equalities Scheme also course grounded in the workplace in households of any nationality through the reflect our need to actively increase the order to address this - reducing its VCR scheme, with the first family arriving in participation of our communities through own recruitment costs whilst creating May 2017. pathways of opportunity. tackling victimisation, discrimination and harassment; improving access to services; London does not need to wait for central Policy Context government to put its integration agenda One aim of Lewisham’s Sustainable closing the gap in outcomes for all residents; into place. Many of the tools and policy Community Strategy 2008-2020 is to increasing mutual understanding and respect levers are already in place at the local level have citizens who are ‘Empowered and within and between communities; increasing and could be developed further to bring Responsible’. This means that people are citizen participation and engagement. to life the London is Open slogan, making actively involved in their local area and

40 41 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS Challenges Solutions in order to help provide support with Outcomes language acquisition. After discussion Housing Housing with the council, they held a pre-arrival Housing In order to resettle families, appropriate A communications plan was devised to fundraising drive and set up a ‘welcome All families have been resettled in housing was required. Lewisham already encourage local Lewisham residents to committee’ including ESOL tutors. properties offered at the Local Housing had a considerable waiting list for social rent out properties to refugee families Allowance rate, with the majority of the Additional support housing, and a severe shortage of suitable that would otherwise be unavailable on families resettled in community-offered The Council sought advice from other local self-contained available properties at the private rented sector. This included an properties. One large property was offered authorities participating in the scheme. Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate on the event co-hosted by the Lewisham branch of by the Diocese of Southwark that was Many had tried to directly coordinate private rented sector marketplace. Citizens UK, which included participation able to hold two families ie grandparents, donations and ended up with many from a local school who had been learning as well as their parents and children. A unsuitable items and limited storage space. Language about migration. property of this size would have been English language acquisition would also very difficult to find in the private rented To this end, in order to encourage and prove a priority, and although various Language sector. monitor donation of goods and services, ESOL classes run by community groups and The Lewisham branch of Citizens UK the specification used in the Lewisham Adult Learning Lewisham existed in the have been in regular contact with both Another unexpected advantage of tender to commission caseworkers borough, the potential of accessing these Lewisham Council and the SHP caseworkers community-offered properties has been specifically included wording on this. were limited by physical that landlords have been willing to provide Lewisham branch of Citizens UK Weight was given to ‘Partnership Working mobility issues of goods free of charge that the Council is and local schools join Lewisham and Community Involvement’ and those some of the vulnerable Council for an event to encourage unable to due to funding restrictions: one applying for the tender were asked to persons resettled. local residents to offer housing private landlord gave the family a laptop for refugees describe how they would work closely with for example, another liaised with the Additional support local services, including Local Authority family via commissioned caseworkers (from The SVPR and VCR teams and third sector organisations, to the charity SHP) for the first few weeks programmes both deliver the service specified. after their arrival to find out whether they include specific needed anything to help them settle in and financial restrictions The wording explicitly stated: ‘There are buying small items that they might like, and guidelines. likely to be range of external interested from extra seating to a fruit bowl. These Government guidelines parties, including individual members of ‘community landlords’ have helped with clearly lay out that the public, who may wish to volunteer, integration aside from mere practicalities. Home Office funding donate or in some way provide support One landlord has been helping the provided may not be or resources. Outline how you will use family with the garden, teaching them used on ‘luxury’ goods this support to add value to the service about English vegetation and climate, for the families, these delivered for service users. Please draw and another has introduced them to the include televisions reference on your previous experience in neighbours including those with children and computers which developing these partnerships.’ of a similar age. might otherwise help with English language Language acquisition. The Lewisham branch of Citizens UK have funded an ESOL tutor who visits

© LB Lewisham 2017

42 43 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS several families – especially those with integration of the resettled refugee To gain insight into some ‘best practice’ Next Steps ill or elderly members – to provide ESOL families, drawing up lists of existing local “I was struck by the on how to work better with local groups in crucial role played by Working with the voluntary sector has been classes directly in their homes, ‘bridging’ classes and workshops which they were order to foster better coordination on work civic society and how so successful that it is now always included their immediate need for fast language able to signpost families to, for example with refugees and migrant communities, the public officials as an option when considering provision acquisition until they are able to access women’s groups. The support provider also the council leveraged its international were able to accept and for refugees and migrants. Our Summer alternative provision. This has been set up a specific email account to handle partnerships. To this end, it was awarded encourage this, how plans are exemplary of this. especially useful for elderly residents who all enquiries and offers of help from the funding by the ‘Europe for Citizens’ everyone seemed willing During the summer holidays, families who have been reluctant or physically unable to community, and the Council was able to to accept the chaos of programme to visit its twin-town of attend local college often have no ESOL join ESOL classes. signpost potential volunteers directly to the emergency and work Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in Berlin and sessions to attend. This is particularly them. This has worked very well and SHP within it, doing what was learn about how they have been working An unexpected outcome of this has have coordinated donations of furniture in immediately necessary with their community groups and local difficult for families who arrive during the been that one of these families had a accordance with the families’ needs. and letting the structure volunteers to assist with integration. Summer period. SHP liaise directly with secondary-aged child who did not settle community groups to find out which courses

© LB Lewisham 2017 and order develop as the into school-life well, constantly asking the needs were being met. The trip took place on May 16-18 and continue over the period, but many adults teacher to phone home, etc. As a result, It seemed a mixture included faith group members, charity remain unable to go because schools are the school agreed to have the Citizens UK of ‘top down’, ‘bottom workers, refugee shelter managers from shut and there is a lack of childcare. To this tutor join the student for a few weeks’ up’ at the same time, Lewisham’s French twin town of Antony, end, the council are running two special sessions at school in order to help him each appreciating the Paris, as well as members from the projects over the Summer. access the curriculum and act as a means particular qualities of the Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network, of integration support. The Council was other” Action for Refugees in Lewisham, the The first, to be completely facilitated by able to cover the cost for these hours from Afghan and Central Asian Association, the a local community organisation known the Educational funding provided by the Point Community Centre, Fare Share, and as Pepys Community Forum, will give the – Cristine Smalligan, families a chance to meet together but Home Office directly, and the process was Lewisham Citizens the Diocese of Southwark. Council officers far quicker and more convenient than responsible for housing, education, also connect with local linguistically- seeking additional help might have been children’s social care, community similar networks and settled diaspora. By Lewisham Citizens bring in a welcome hamper to present to a new refugee connecting with other settled diaspora the otherwise. Since the student had already family, at Lewisham Civic Suite with Mayor Sir Steve Bullock and local development and international built a relationship of trust with the tutor, Lewisham Councillor partnerships also participated. The traditional idea of integration is perhaps his nervous behaviour in school quickly group heard about innovative work that somewhat disrupted, but the importance of improved as a result. With encouragement from a local volunteers do, for example refurbishing these groups – especially those who share councillor, 10 local Halal restaurants old buildings to use as community a language - has been shown both through Additional support also agreed to offer the families a free centres, as well as digital solutions used academic literature and learned from the Since Lewisham Council had specifically ‘welcome’ meal, and the SHP caseworkers by refugees themselves to access support council’s own visit to Berlin. In this case, asked the service provider SHP to outline were able to liaise with the restaurant with education and employment. Lessons the families may work with local Somali how they agreed to work with the owners to make sure these offers were were learnt about how to leverage residents, some of whom speak Arabic. community, they themselves proactively taken up. SHP also used these meals support for refugees during current They will be having sessions on financial did research on local community groups as a way for resettled families to come times of war and political cooperation, to awareness and community business start- who worked with refugee groups and together in a safe and informal space and generally improve community cohesion up and trading. The hope is that this migrant communities, and reached out meet other. One such restaurant, run by and integration going forward. might build on their knowledge and skills to them to find out how they might be a Syrian chef, was featured in local press. in a friendly and relaxed environment able to work together to support the to lead to volunteering or employment

44 45 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 11. The Challenge The Challenge is a social integration charity that works closely with policy-makers and politicians, including as secretariat for the APPG on Social Integration, currently chaired by opportunities. The local group will also offer diverse viewpoints and recognising the informal engagement within the Lewisham contribution that different cultures can Chuka Umunna MP community and wider environment by make to the quality of life in the borough” taking them to visit local markets, gardens “We design and deliver programmes that we do meet people who are different from © LB Lewisham 2017 and places of interest, in order to build bring different people together to develop us, we tend to enjoy it. That’s why we awareness, increase confidence and their confidence and skills in understanding work hard to bring people from different opportunities for social interaction. and connecting with others. The first backgrounds together on our programmes, programme we designed was the National and in doing so, increase understanding The second, hosted in a local community Citizen Service and today we are a major and connection across our communities. centre, will involve local ESOL teachers provider of the programme. To date, 120,000 hired for the 6 week period only, one for young people have taken part in the National As diversity increases, The Challenge families who is known to the families and Citizen Service with The Challenge. believes it is of critical importance that we can support their ongoing development, steer the UK towards greater integration. and other to work with complete We define social integration as the extent Our research and others have shown that beginners. This pooling of funds gives to which people conform to shared norms social integration brings about: the families the opportunity to come and values and lead shared lives. together to socialise over Summer, as well The make-up of society in the UK is • Improved economic growth, along with as to use the garden and use the onsite changing with greater ethnic diversity (38 improved education and skill levels. kitchen facilities to cook and prepare food per cent of residents predicted to be BAME together, for which they are provided a Lewisham Councillor Damien Egan (right) with local ‘Damascus Chef’ team • A wider talent pool from which by 2050), more people with no religion but lunch budget. They will also have crèche Abdullah Alawayed and his wife Fabienne de Blois, who offered a free meal to businesses can recruit, given that around Syrian refugees some minority religions growing, a greater workers specifically for their families. 40 per cent of jobs are found through proportion of older people (23 per cent It is hoped that some of the time will social contacts. of the population predicted to be over 65 be set aside for the families to teach “It would be an honour for me to help feed by 2033) and historically high levels of each other skills in a safe space, such as the new arrivals. I don’t see them as refugees • Higher levels of trust, particularly in inequality with a falling share of people in crocheting and floristry, thus increasing a multi-ethnic society and reduced – they are my people. I know they will need medium-skilled jobs. their confidence and moving them from prejudice. Recent analysis shows that someone who understands them, and is already spending significant time with cross- feeling less like beneficiaries and more like But despite our growing diversity, many of group friends and having significant empowered members of the community. settled here to help them. When I first came to us spend relatively little time with people in-depth communication with those At the council we see our new residents as Lewisham in 2012 I was shy at first, but I found from different walks of life. We think friends were the two strongest predictors assets not burdens, and we wish them to this matters. We believe these divisions people very friendly – south east London people of change in positive attitudes and feel the same way. This is reflected in the make it harder to understand how others are very welcoming. I’m sure they will share this prejudice reduction. wording from our Sustainable Community tick, harder for those on lower incomes Strategy 2008-2020: experience” to build the networks they need to get • Improved health and reduced anxiety. good jobs, harder to stop prejudice from “Lewisham’s vitality and dynamism sneaking in, harder to feel at home in • Reduced isolation, particularly among stem from the energy of its citizens and Local Syrian restaurant owner and Lewisham our neighbourhoods, harder to remain both elderly and vulnerable adults diverse communities. Lewisham’s people resident, Abdullah Alawayed connected to the community around us as have a long history of welcoming and • Increased community resilience in the we get older, and harder to vote for the championing new communities, valuing wake of catastrophic events. common good. We also know that, when

46 47 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS 12. Newham

Background Introduction to Newham Newham is one of the most diverse local Newham is a large East London borough, authorities in the country. The council with a young, vibrant, and diverse At The Challenge, we believe that we are actively promotes social integration, population. The borough is changing likely to form more integrated friendships and communicates a clear message rapidly, with significant investment and - or friendships with people from different that Newham is one community shared regeneration underway linked, in part, backgrounds to us - when we are in a by people with different backgrounds, to the 2012 Olympic legacy. While the moment of transition. Starting school, experiences, and identities. While it is area has a long history of welcoming becoming a young adult, starting your first important to celebrate this diversity, it is new residents from across the world, job, settling in a new area, becoming a also important to emphasise what people immigration has contributed to significant parent, retraining or retiring - it is during have in common and their responsibilities demographic changes in recent decades: these moments of transition that we most to one another. Newham had the highest growth in the want a new support group around us and non-UK born population in London when our identities are most in flux and Newham’s approach to building social between the 2001 and 2011 census (72,285 open to new alliances. integration focuses on: additional residents), with the proportion of residents from the UK falling from 62 per We argue that we must ensure these • Building common ground: helping cent to 46 per cent over the same period. moments of common life are intense and to overcome barriers to integration, significant enough to create a shared including encouraging people to speak Net international migration is currently identity. The focus on moments of English and only supporting groups estimated at 14,000 per year, and is a transition will help: citizens training or and events that are inclusive of the significant contributor to rapid population retraining together, experiencing being a whole community. growth in the Borough. In 10 years from parent together or considering retirement 2005 – 2015, Newham’s population together will bring its own intensity. But • Bringing people together: investing grew from 258,000 to 334,000, and it is we must look to use other methods that in community infrastructure and projected to reach over 400,000 by 2030. have always created shared identity - helping to build an active and sport, music and art.” connected community, where people The area is extremely diverse, with no from different backgrounds interact single ethnic group in the majority. regularly. Mid-year population projections for 2017 suggest the largest single group is Indian, • Promoting fairness: preventing representing just 15 per cent. The next tensions from building by promoting highest are White British (13 per cent); fairness, enforcing minimum Bangladeshi (12.8 per cent); White Other standards, and making sure everyone (12.7 per cent); Black African (11.1 per plays by the same rules. cent) and Pakistani (10.4 per cent).

48 49 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS This diversity is one of the borough’s does and every penny that we spend.” day life. particular part of the community. greatest strengths. However, it can also Newham’s approach is embedded across It is also important to encourage people to raise challenges to community cohesion The social integration agenda in Newham the organisation, and can be summarised speak English, so that they can play a full and integration. Newham experiences high cuts across a range of policy and service in three broad themes: building common and active part in the community and the levels of population churn, with one in areas, and is grounded in a wider strategy ground; bringing people together; and employment market. The Council has made five residents having lived in the borough to build the resilience of Newham’s promoting fairness. a deliberate choice to reduce spending on for less than two years.5 The borough is residents, economy, and community6. translation services and removed foreign also on the frontline of London’s housing Having strong networks as part of a 1. Building common ground language newspapers from libraries, crisis, and while deprivation is falling cohesive community is an important Newham Council plays an active role in instead continuing to fund free English the pressures that immigration can bring foundation of people’s resilience, and the helping to build common ground and Language tuition that is open to all despite are felt more acutely in poorer areas like council’s resilience framework sets out challenge barriers to integration. The cuts in government resources. Around Newham. Residents face international clear aspirations to be a borough where: Council celebrates residents’ different three-fifths (61 per cent) of Newham competition for low-skilled jobs, massive cultures and backgrounds, both in our residents do not speak English as their demand for rental properties at the • People are active locally and take part community events and by raising the first language, however 88 per cent of this bottom end of the market, and additional in the community and civic life more national flag of the countries that many group report being able to speak English pressures on local services. broadly. residents come from on their national day. well or very well.7 • People engage with the democratic However, this is done in an inclusive way, In this context, the council has an process and believe they can influence encouraging the whole community to get Beyond this, the council’s community active role to play in promoting social the decisions which affect them and involved. There is a clear policy in Newham neighbourhoods approach encourages integration, and ensuring a fair deal for all local priorities generally. that council assets or funding will only people to come together around a shared, residents. • People have both broad and diverse support inclusive groups and events that place-based interest to make a difference networks locally (family, friends, are open to all, and not restricted to a in their community, as set out below. Newham’s approach groups and organisations) that offer The political leadership of the council them support. has set out a clear message that social • Residents respect and look after each integration is a priority. Mayor of Newham other and contribute their time to the Sir Robin Wales states that: community.

“In a diverse place like Newham, it is our The council has an important role to play in © LB Newham 2017 job in local government to help bring achieving this. However, social integration people together. We want to build a cannot be implemented in a ‘top down’ way strong, resilient and cohesive community, through a particular policy or programme. and you cannot do that if you separate Rather the council’s role is about helping people into different groups and everyone to build capacity in the community, and is living separate lives. That is why our creating an environment that encourages commitment to social integration runs people from all backgrounds to come through all of the work that the Council together naturally as part of their every

5. London Borough of Newham (2016) Understanding Newham 2015: Findings from Wave 8 of the Newham Household Panel Surveys. 7. London Borough of Newham (2016) Understanding Newham 2015: Findings from Wave 8 of the Newham Household 6. https://www.newham.gov.uk/pages/services/resilience.aspx Panel Surveys

50 51 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS Example 2: Newham’s Faith conference Example 1: Community Neighbourhoods Since 2014, Newham has hosted an annual faith conference bringing together Community Neighbourhoods are at the centre of Newham’s approach to building an representatives of different community and faith groups in the borough with Councillors active and connected community, where people from all backgrounds feel a sense of and Neighbourhood Managers. The conference aims to recognise the contribution faith belonging and stewardship for their neighbourhood, turn to each other for support, groups make to the community, to consider how different groups can work together and and come together to bring about changes and improvements in their local area. with the council and to develop shared responses to some of the most important issues affecting the community. The council has created eight Community Neighbourhoods. Lead Councillors in each neighbourhood play an important role, providing local leadership to shape and deliver The Council’s third faith conference in April 2017 was attended by over 250 people, with local priorities. The council’s 10 libraries and eight community centres are also run a focus on empowering women and promoting positive social action. The conferences through this model with a dedicated team of officers in each neighbourhood. By taking have been designed to encourage networking amongst Newham’s many and diverse on an enabling and facilitating role, the neighbourhood teams are pioneering a new faith groups, supporting them to build meaningful relationships. way of getting people active, building networks, engaging with partners and community groups, and harnessing the power of the community. At the 2017 conference 71 per cent of attendees reported that the conference was an excellent or very good opportunity to form useful links with people from other faiths. Key activities include: The success of these conferences have led to the establishment of neighbourhood faith forums linked to community neighbourhoods. These forums aim to continue • Community events: the neighbourhood teams run, host, and support residents to interfaith collaboration and encourage different groups to come together and develop events and initiatives in their neighbourhood – with over 500 events on average improve their local area. now held every week. Getting people involved in local groups, clubs and projects helps them meet new people and build a real community spirit. © LB Newham 2017

• Volunteering: Newham’s Community Builders initiative is recruiting and training local volunteers as community ambassadors, engaging directly with their local neighbourhood by facilitating events, starting initiatives and advocating for their local community. A key aim of the initiative is to promote people’s participation and inclusion in their community by building trust, resourcefulness, respect and connectedness. In 2016/17 there were more than 1000 active volunteers.

• Community activity: encouraging people to take responsibility and get involved in improving their local area. With leadership from local councillors, activities have ranged from hosting community clean up days to fundraising events for Syrian refugees, where people from all backgrounds come together to make a difference in their area.

For further information, visit: www.newham.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Community-neighbourhoods.aspx

52 53 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS London’s prosecutions in 2015/16. 2: Bringing people together 3: Promoting fairness Progress and next steps The council also works proactively to bring While immigration and diversity brings Newham monitors progress on this people together, acknowledging that a range of benefits, it can also bring agenda regularly through our extensive regular social contact between people from challenges in poorer areas like Newham. In resident surveys, and recent findings different backgrounds helps to reduce order to avoid suspicions and tension from reveal a positive picture of social cohesion prejudice, provide a sense of community, building, it is important that the council in the borough1: and prevent social exclusion. This includes is seen to be acting fairly at all times. hosting a programme free community That means ensuring fair access to under- Nine out of ten residents (89 per events, with the Mayor’s Newham Show pressure services, which is why Newham’s cent) agree that people from different and the Under the Stars festival attended housing allocations criteria is based on background get on well together in by around 100,000 people every year. The a clear first-come, first-served principle Newham – above the national average. council’s ‘Let’s Get the Party Started’ small and rewards contribution, with a residence grants scheme also provides funding for criteria and people in work or caring Around three-fifths (57 per cent) of residents to host their own community prioritised. residents agree that if they needed events, provided they are inclusive and advice, they could go to someone in their open to all, and has supported almost 350 However, the best way to avoid tensions neighbourhood – an important factor for events in 2016/17.8 is to help the whole community to thrive. instilling a sense of community cohesion. The council aims to create a convergence of Beyond this, the events and classes hosted life chances through the resilience agenda, Almost half of residents (42 per cent) say through the community neighbourhoods investing in services such as Workplace that at least half of their friends come from (see above) provide opportunities to to help residents into employment. The a different ethnic background. volunteer; learn new skills; or simply council’s mainstream approach to service In a diverse area like Newham these are attend one of coffee mornings, tea dances, provision ensures that services are open to positive results. However, significant or other social activities on offer. The everyone, rather than targeting resources challenges remain and there is further Council are also investing in community for particular parts of the community. to go. The Council will continue to stand infrastructure and public spaces, bucking Fairness also means investing in up against those who seek to sow hatred the national trend by modernising enforcement to make sure everyone plays and division in the community, and focus libraries, extending opening hours, and by the rules. This includes targeting rogue on building community resilience by increasing footfall by turning them into landlords and employers who undercut expanding our Community Neighbourhoods thriving, multi-purpose community hubs. standards and undermine community approach - pushing more power down to cohesion by exploiting migrants the local level, bringing people together, illegally for profit. Through landlord and building the capacity of the community licensing, backed by robust multi-agency shape their local area. enforcement, Newham has prosecuted over 1,100 criminal landlords since 2013, 1 London Borough of Newham (2016) Understanding Newham 2015: Findings from Wave 8 of the Newham and accounted for over 70 per cent of all Household Panel Surveys

8. https://www.newham.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Lets-get-the-party-started.aspx?l1=100003&l2=200047

54 55 LONDONCOUNCILS LONDONCOUNCILS London Councils 59½ Southwark Street London SE1 0AL www.londoncouncils.gov.uk

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Images: Photofusion (unless indicated otherwise) Publication date: October 2017

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