Published: September 5, 2024
Places and People is Belong’s Community of Practice designed specifically for organisations involved in place-based approaches to building cohesion.
If you’re involved with a voluntary sector organisation, community group or faith organisation working at a local level in towns and cities, have you heard about Places and People? It’s the place where Belong members get together to share information and discuss inputs on relevant issues – with colleagues from local government departments, housing providers or businesses with a particular focus on place-making, regeneration and co-production are also welcome.
Upcoming meeting:
September’s online meeting takes place on Wednesday 25 September, from 1.30 pm to 3 pm.
Alongside our regular ‘information sharing’ spot, there’ll be a structured chance to reflect on issues arising from the disorder that took place in some of our towns and cities at the end of July and beginning of August – and developments since then. What are the challenges to cohesion that the trouble highlighted? And, what examples of positive and co-operative actions are the things that we should amplify and build on?
The role of media and the importance of trusted local voices in countering misinformation and conspiracy theories is one of the themes that has been discussed from the disturbances. For that reason, this meeting’s guest input from Rob Watson of Decentered Media will be particularly interesting. Rob will talk about the ways that local media can take a potentially crucial positive role in addressing localised issues of tension, and will offer a summary analysis of relevant points from Ofcom’s recent interim report.
How will this benefit me and my organisation?
Belong’s Communities of Practice are a great opportunity to build and expand professional networks, plus access to guest speakers, training materials and new research. They can also provide a valuable sounding board to discuss challenges and new ideas with people working in a similar role or facing similar challenges around the UK. Finally, COPs are a great way for Belong Network members to develop a collective voice on the steps that we need to take to build and maintain social cohesion, and to advance our case to policy makers.
How do I join?
Attending a Community of Practice is free if your organisation is a paying member of the Belong Network. If you are not sure if your organisation is a Belong Network member, or you would like to find out about joining the Community of Practice, please get in touch: hello@belongnetwork.co.uk.
We look forward to hearing from you.