Bringing people together through community arts and creativity projects could help build more cohesive communities in the wake of this summer’s riots, according to British Future research.
‘Creating Connections’, a new report, finds a strong and partly untapped public appetite to do more, with 80% of people interested in participating in arts and creative activities – while only 53% did so over the last year. Getting more people involved in creative activities in their community can help address the urgent need to bridge divides in our society following the racist riots of the summer, the research argues.
Arts and creativity projects promote social mixing between people from different backgrounds, which experts say is crucial to breaking down fears and prejudices. Around half of those who have taken part in a creative arts activity over the last year said it helped them to meet people from different backgrounds.
The report calls on the government to ensure that the role of the creative arts is part of a new, comprehensive strategy on social connection and community cohesion in response to this summer’s violent racist disorder. It also highlights the important role that cultural programmes linked to major events – like VE Day 80 next year and the UK hosting the Euros football tournament in 2028 – can play in bringing people together across the nation.
As we mark #VJDay80, in which millions of soldiers from pre-partition India, Africa & the Caribbean served, worth noting that only 55% of UK public know that Indian soldiers fought for Britain in the World Wars. Just 24% are aware that soldiers from Kenya or Jamaica served.[1/4]
New column marking #VJDay80 today from @sundersays for @EasternEye
The three short months between VE Day in May and VJ day in August changed the contours of the postwar world, reshaping British politics, the map of Europe and the future of conflict in a new nuclear age. My column this week ahead of tomorrow's 80th anniversary commemorations
Important stat from ONS. Concerns about crime and migration are rising but people still care most about cost of living and NHS. Politicians need a message/plan on those too...
Ahead of the 80th anniversary of #VJDay tomorrow, @sundersays writes for @easterneye on the importance today of commemorating the multi-ethnic, multi-faith armies that won the war [1/2]
We're excited to be hosting a fringe event at the #SMCSymposium on 9 September, which aims to challenge conventional thinking about social mobility and explore insights into the causes of socio-economic disadvantage [1/2]
As small boat crossings are set to hit 50,000 sinec Labour came to power, our @sundersays is talking to @BBCWorldatOne at 1.15 about six years of policy failure and what can be done
British Future is hosting events at Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat party conferences this autumn. Full details, including speakers, dates and venues below [1/2]
This weekend, communities across the UK are coming together for the @RefugeesTogether #WelcomeWeekend, sending a message that Britain chooses welcome over division. 🧡 [1/2]
'What about the 'legitimate concerns' of ethnic minority Britons - about racism?' asks @sundersays in his @easterneye column [1/2]
Applications close Fri 15 August for these three roles at British Future, leading UK thinktank on immigration, integration, race and identity.
ICYMI: British Future is recruiting for 3 posts:
1) Senior Researcher on a new race equity project;
2) Manager for new ‘South Asian Bridgers Forum’ to strengthen South Asian inter-faith/community solidarity;
3) Events and Parliamentary Networks Manager
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