Submitted by Richard Yuille on 11 Aug 2026 - 11:35am
You're invited to help shape Middlesbrough's Social Cohesion Strategy
Belong is working alongside Middlesbrough Council and partners, including the VCS, to develop a new Social Cohesion Strategy for the town.
Over the past few months, we've been exploring one big question with residents, communities and partners:
How do we make Middlesbrough a place where everyone feels they belong, where people from different backgrounds, walks of life and neighbourhoods feel connected to one another, and where communities are strong, able to access opportunities and thrive?
We've heard about the challenges facing communities, but also about the enormous strengths, commitment and creativity that already exist across Middlesbrough.
The next stage is about co-design.
Rather than writing the strategy behind closed doors, we want to work with the people who know Middlesbrough best to shape its priorities, identify practical actions, and explore how we can better connect and build on the great work that's already happening.
We know that many organisations are already making an important contribution to bringing people together, supporting residents and strengthening communities. This is an opportunity to think collectively about what more we can achieve by working together.
We're offering three opportunities to take part: two online and one in person. Simply choose the session that suits you best:
- Wednesday 19 August, 6.00–8.00pm (online) sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/help-shape-middlesbroughs-social-cohesion-strategy-tickets-1997557605571?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Thursday 10 September, 1.00–3.00pm (online) sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/help-shape-middlesbroughs-social-cohesion-strategy-tickets-1997449796110?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Tuesday 22 September, 2.00–5.00pm (face to face) sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/help-shape-middlesbroughs-social-cohesion-strategy-tickets-1997556686823?aff=oddtdtcreator
These sessions are co-hosted with MVDA. During the sessions, we'll explore questions such as:
- What would make the biggest difference to social cohesion in Middlesbrough?
- What support, partnerships or changes would help organisations like yours have an even greater impact?
- How can we better connect existing initiatives, community assets and local leadership?
- What should success look like over the coming years?
Whether you're a small grassroots organisation, a larger charity, a faith group or a community organisation, we'd really value your perspective.
These sessions are also an opportunity to meet others working across Middlesbrough, share ideas and help shape a strategy that reflects the town's strengths and ambitions.
The ideas shared through these sessions will directly inform the Social Cohesion Strategy and Belong's recommendations on future investment, partnerships and commitments to strengthen social cohesion across Middlesbrough. The strategy is expected to be launched in the autumn.
If you know another voluntary, community or faith organisation that would like to contribute, please feel free to share this invitation.
The broader the range of voices involved, the stronger the strategy will be.
For more information, please contact: Richard Yuille, Administrative Assistant, MVDA at: richard.yuille@mvdauk.org.uk or Erika Atzori, Programme Lead, Belong Network at: erika@belongnetwork.co.uk.
We hope you'll be able to join us!
