PEOPLE in Leicester are being asked to help develop a programme of work to strengthen community relations and renew togetherness and pride in the city.
The city council wants to involve residents, community organisations and partners in identifying actions that would help people to live well together and increase feelings of belonging to the city.
Running from December to January, the information gathering will include surveys, face to face interviews and focus groups. The views gathered will feed in to the development of a long-term plan that will make up the Connected Communities programme.
The initiative is being supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which is funding the work needed to develop the plan for use by the council and its partners.
The engagement work will be carried out by the Belong Network, a national organisation that supports local authorities and communities to build stronger, safer, and more inclusive places.
Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Leicester is home to people of many different faiths, backgrounds, and cultures and we are justly proud of our diversity. We also recognise that communities face new challenges linked to change, misinformation, inequality, and discrimination.
“The aim of this programme is to strengthen relationships between people and public bodies, increase people’s involvement in their local community, and ensure that all shared spaces are welcoming and inclusive for everyone.”
Cllr Manjula Sood MBE, Assistant City Mayor for Community Cohesion said: "This work is about tackling discrimination, and ensuring every community feels heard and included, but we can’t do it alone. We will be asking people to get involved so that the resulting actions reflect the voices, values and hopes of everyone in Leicester.”
The Belong Network will contact organisations directly as part of its information gathering.