It was a pleasure to attend the Building Bridges in Divided Communities event today in Middlesbrough, aiming to unite communities, restore mutual respect, and address the deepening sense of hurt and division felt by so many.
There were many powerful and moving contributions from speakers and attendees, sharing ideas and stories about how we can work together to find common ground and engage in real, truthful conversations.
We heard about the power of conversation, and how this can tackle the misinformation which exists, particularly around narratives on immigration and those seeking asylum.
It was especially inspiring to hear from All Saints Church of England Academy, a School of Sanctuary which aims to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for those forced to flee.
They help to raise awareness of the real experiences of people seeking safety and in doing so promote social inclusion, celebrate cultural diversity, challenge myths, and build a culture of compassion and kindness.
Our wonderful Mayor Chris Cooke also spoke about the critical work he is leading on with Middlesbrough Council and partner agencies, using the Community Recovery Funding provided by the Government to rebuild community cohesion and address the root causes of division.
My thanks to the organisers and all those working on such important initiatives that seek to bring our diverse communities together across the Tees Valley.
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: Middlesbrough is just 200 years old. In 1825 there were 25 people, four houses and a farmhouse – that was it.
We are an immigrant town – everybody in Middlesbrough came from somewhere else. It is something we should celebrate and enjoy.
