Creating inclusive and connected communities: our journey towards a fairer future

My team and I want to help build communities where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive. Through our work on inclusion and cohesion, we are striving to create a culture that values diversity, supports vulnerable people, and strengthens social connections. This isn’t just about policy — it’s about embedding inclusion in everything we do to help create a fairer, more resilient place for all.

This blog outlines our approach and shares practical steps for others looking to foster inclusion and cohesion. Whether you work in local government, a startup, or a larger institution, creating an inclusive culture is key to building a supportive and connected society.

1. Setting a clear vision and purpose

At the heart of our work is a simple belief: everyone should feel they belong and have the chance to contribute. Our approach is based on engaging with communities, understanding different perspectives, identifying barriers to inclusion, and co-developing initiatives that respond to local needs.

How you can apply this:

• Define a clear vision for inclusion — Establish guiding principles that reflect your commitment to inclusivity and community connection.
• Engage diverse voices — Use surveys, discussions, and feedback sessions to hear from a wide range of people and identify barriers to inclusion.

Example: The Greater London Authority’s Social Integration Strategy prioritises social mixing, economic participation, and civic engagement, showing how a shared vision can strengthen diverse communities (Greater London Authority).

2. Building an inclusive workplace

Inclusion starts from within. We strive to create workplaces where staff feel valued, respected, and able to contribute to inclusion goals. This includes training on unconscious bias, accessibility, and cultural awareness so that everyone is confident in promoting inclusivity.

How you can apply this:

• Offer regular inclusivity training — Provide sessions on topics like unconscious bias, cultural awareness, and mental health to equip staff with the skills to support an inclusive workplace.
• Encourage inclusive leadership — Support leaders to model inclusive behaviours, champion diversity, and create a sense of belonging within their teams.

Example: PwC’s Inclusive Mindset Programme provides training to help employees build skills that promote diversity and inclusion in their daily work (PwC).

3. Engaging communities in meaningful ways

Our approach to inclusion goes beyond internal policies. We work directly with residents to understand challenges, hear people’s experiences, and co-design solutions. This builds trust and ensures that strategies reflect real community needs.

How you can apply this:

• Host community engagement sessions — Create spaces where people can share experiences, perspectives, and ideas to shape an inclusive community.
• Use participatory budgeting — Enable residents to help decide how funding is allocated, so they feel ownership over local projects.

Example: Newham Council’s Citizens’ Assembly lets residents influence funding decisions for local health and wellbeing projects. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) highlights the importance of participatory democracy in strengthening communities (IPPR).

4. Partnering with local organisations

We know we can’t do this alone. By working with local charities, businesses, and community groups, we can reach more people, improve accessibility, and create stronger connections across the community.

How you can apply this:

• Build partnerships with local groups — Work with charities, social enterprises, and businesses to provide better support for inclusion efforts.
• Share resources and knowledge — Consider shared spaces, funding, or staff exchanges to strengthen community collaboration.

Example: The London Anchor Institutions Charter brings together NHS Trusts, universities, and councils to address inequality by pooling resources and expertise (London Anchor Institutions).

5. Measuring impact and adapting over time

Inclusion and cohesion require ongoing effort and regular review. We assess progress using community feedback, engagement data, and social cohesion indicators. This helps refine strategies and ensure they stay relevant.

How you can apply this:

• Set impact measures — Use engagement data, social indicators, and community feedback to assess the success of inclusion initiatives.
• Adapt based on feedback — Regularly review and refine your inclusion strategy to keep up with changing community needs.

Example: The Kirklees Social Progress Index in West Yorkshire measures community cohesion through safety, social connections, and civic engagement indicators, helping shape targeted local programmes (Kirklees Council).

6. Call to action: working together for stronger communities

We are working towards a future where everyone feels valued, included, and part of the community. Inclusion and cohesion aren’t just policies — they’re ongoing commitments to creating spaces where people from all backgrounds can thrive.

How can you contribute?

• Are you engaging your community in meaningful ways?
• What steps can you take to build a more inclusive workplace?
• How are you working with local partners to maximise impact?

Join us in building communities that are inclusive, connected, and fair for everyone. Share your experiences in the comments below, and let’s continue learning from each other.