Cohesion Task Group

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Cohesion Task Group

• Community, Health and Social Care

2
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.

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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!

4
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.

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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.

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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.

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Whats 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 11th October
• More interfaith work for Eid and Christmas
  particularly for women from different backgrounds
• Involvement in Lowry on Walkabout
• Cultural celebration for young people.

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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.