Cohesion Task Group Community, Health and Social Care

Background Eccles, Winton and Barton have a diverse population particularly around ethnicity and faith. Census figures show that around 5% of the Community Committee area are from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. This has changed over recent years with new communities moving into the area – Polish, Kurdish, Czech and Africans to name a few. Schools census shows a 10% BME population for the area, so this may be a more accurate picture.

Membership The Group has members from the Yemeni, Pakstani and Bangladeshi Communities. There is representation from the various Christian denominations and also the Islamic faith. Officers from a number of statutory and voluntary sector organisations attend. We are always looking for new members!

Achievements……. Started with Eccles Diversity Forum meetings. A series of translated meetings to help people with certain issues – hate crime, anti-social behaviour, police procedures, CPS procedures, health matters. Provided an opportunity for people to learn and ask questions where they had previously been unable to do so.

More achievements! A large Eid Celebration – really the first time that many people had taken part in such a large event. Health project around smoking cessation in a culturally accessible environment.

and more Cultural celebration at Salford Academy with range of street dancing, Morris dancing, Irish dancing, Yemeni dancing, a scottish piper and fashion show to celebrate British and other cultures. Involvement of minority groups and the faith community in the Narbonne Festival last year. Interfaith event at Christmas sharing learning about the Bible and Koran.

What’s next? Looking to try to undertake some activity for Black History month in October. Planning for a multi-cultural market as part of the Food and Drink Festival in Eccles Town Centre on 11 th October More interfaith work for Eid and Christmas – particularly for women from different backgrounds Involvement in Lowry on Walkabout Cultural celebration for young people.

Why is this important? The task group helps to deliver the activity in the Community Action Plan relating to stronger communities. It is important to try to build relationships between people in the area. This helps local people to feel understood and safe and gives a sense of belonging. Bringing people together helps to reduce misunderstanding and sometime ‘fear’ of what they see to be different. To help make all residents feel valued.