Community Conversations

The Cohesive Communities Strategy for Calderdale ended in 2023. We are now developing our approach towards building stronger communities and social cohesion in the coming years.

Stronger Communities Conversations

We know that community cohesion and integration are at the heart of what makes a community feel strong and safe. The communities of Calderdale have consistently shown great kindness and resilience to crisis. We have seen examples of this during the cost-of-living crisis, extreme weather events and the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also demonstrated through the high levels of volunteering and social celebrations that make Calderdale such a special place.

But we know that for lots of individuals and communities in Calderdale, there are challenges to sustaining and growing these things.

By having some in-person and online conversations, we hope to give voice to our residents. It's an opportunity for people to share their feelings, thoughts, experiences and hopes. By listening and acting on this feedback, we aim to continue to build a stronger, happier place. A place where all residents are able to live the larger life that we aspire to in our Vision 2024 and beyond.

The conversations are based on the themes that we use to measure social cohesion in Calderdale. These are:

• Feelings of belonging
• Connections across people from different social groups
• Perceptions of how people with different backgrounds get on with each other
• Feelings of safety
• Volunteering, and taking care of our neighbourhoods and places
• Aspirations
• Thoughts and feelings on migration

How to share your views

During May and June, our Neighbourhood Officers will be out and about having face-to-face conversations with people in their localities.

You can also book a conversation with a member of our Neighbourhoods team:

• North Halifax (Ovenden, Illingworth, Mixenden, Warley, Northowram and Shelf), contact: Tony.King@calderdale.gov.uk
• Upper and Lower Valley (Todmorden, Calder, Luddendenfoot, Elland, Rastrick, Ryburn, Brighouse, Greetland and Stainland, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe), contact: Graham.Gibbons@calderdale.gov.uk
• Halifax Central Initiative (Park, Skircoat, Sowerby Bridge, Town), contact: Janice.Dawson@calderdale.gov.uk

In addition, we are working with Calderdale Engagement Champions. They will be having conversations with local groups, organisations and individuals in different areas of Calderdale.

There will be other opportunities to share your views in-person. These include:

At local community events (details will be listed and updated here).

18 May 2024, 11am - 4pm: Boothtown Fun Fest, Bankfield Museum and Akroyd Park, Boothtown Road, Halifax, HX3 6HG.