The Belong Network Library

Research and resources on social cohesion theory and best practice.

The Belong Network Library

Research and resources on social cohesion theory and best practice.

Welcome to the Belong Network Library

The Belong Library is free to access and brings together a wide range of online resources produced by the public, private and civil society sectors to build the evidence base around social cohesion.

It is regularly updated and includes:

  • measurement and evaluation frameworks,
  • ‘what works’ guides,
  • relevant research,
  • best practice sharing
  • training materials for small and large charities and other volunteer-involving sports and community organisations.

Please contact us if you are unable to find what you need – we’d be delighted to help.

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On Cohesion October 2018

Author: Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester), Dr James Laurence, Professor Hilary Pilkington, Professor Alexander Samely, Bob Hindle, Dr Necla Acik and Dr Ajmal Hussain, Dr Martin Coward, Professor Yaron Matras, Dr James Rhodes and Dr Jo Deakin, Publisher: University of Manchester

On Cohesion is a report offering expert insight into issues surrounding extremism and community cohesion in the UK today.

A bridge to life in the UK: Refugee-led community organisations and their role in integration October 2018

Author: Dick Williams, Publisher: Refugee Council

This report explains the role played by refugee-led community organisations (RCOs) in supporting integration, cohesion and equality. It includes recommendations for funders and commissioners, civil society, local and central government, and RCOs.

Ash Sarkar Meets Akala – Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire October 2018

Author: Ash Sarkar, Akala, Publisher: Novara Media

Ash and Akala explore race and empire in the context of contemporary British society. They discuss contemporary race relations and class divisions.

Poplar Harca: example of a ‘baseline questionnaire’ October 2018

This is a baseline questionnaire used to measure the impact of an ESOL Plus programme on social integration in Tower Hamlets, London. It was administered at the beginning and end of the project to measure distance travelled.

Social Integration Measures – as identified by the Greater London Authority (GLA) Intelligence Unit October 2018

Publisher: Greater London Authority (GLA) Intelligence Unit

This document provides a list of social integration measures identified by the GLA’s Intelligence Unit that are being used to measure social integration in London, against the three dimensions that underpin the GLA's definition of Social Integration: Relationships, Participation, and Equality. Useful if you're looking for some guidance on how to measure change in this area.

Moving Stories – Migration Museum and OCR Competition October 2018

Author: Migration Museum UK, Publisher: Migration Museum UK

The Migration Museum partnered with the OCR Exam Board to create a competition that gave GCSE students the opportunity to design an exhibition on the theme of migration. The initiative gave students a unique insight into migrants’ contribution to Britain and provided an opportunity to make the study of history more inclusive. An excellent example of a creative partnership project working across sectors to build cohesion and celebrate diversity.

Narrative Persuasion, with Melanie C. Green October 2018

Author: Melanie C Green, Publisher: You are Not so Smart

In this podcast, psychologist Melanie C. Green explains how using the narrative format - a story - is one of the most effective ways to change people’s minds. She explains that the most persuasive narratives are those that transport us. Once departed from normal reality into the imagined world of a story, we become highly susceptible to belief and attitude change.

The Value of Arts and Culture in Place-Shaping October 2018

Author: Andy Parkinson, Dr Andrew Engeli, Dr Tom Marshall, Anna Burgess, Paula Gallagher, Mark Lang, Publisher: WaveHill Social and Economic Research

Looking at six different places across the country – Birmingham, Halifax, Hastings, Redruth, Southampton and Stoke-on-Trent – this report examines if and how an area’s arts and cultural offer attracts individuals and businesses to settle there. It considers whether it’s a factor in them staying there and whether that cultural offer shapes a place’s local identity.

The National Conversation on Immigration: Final report September 2018

Author: British Future, Publisher: British Future

This report provides a comprehensive overview of public views on immigration. It is based on the biggest-ever public consultation on immigration and integration to have taken place in the UK, with 60 locations visited. It presents a model for deeper, ongoing public engagement from the Government on this issue going forward.

A Multilevel Measurement Model of Social Cohesion September 2018

Author: Gianmaria Bottoni, Publisher: City University of London

This article provides an overview of academic and political discussion about social cohesion. For those interested in drilling down into the detail it may be useful to look at the document in conjunction with discussions about the concepts and definitions of community cohesion.