Contour Homes and First Choice Homes Awarded for Community Cohesion

Contour Homes and First Choice Homes have won first place at the Awards for Bridging Cultures (ABCs) for their innovative project to overcome cultural barriers in Oldham.

The Limeside and Clarkwell Linking Project involves bringing together residents from Limeside estate - which is over 90% white British - and Clarkwell - which is over 90% Bangladeshi. The residents, who usually only interact with members of their own community, took part in a number of team-building activities using philosophical enquiry techniques over the course of six months. There were also community fun days, festivals and sessions in cultural awareness.

Shanine Meadowcroft, Community Development Officer for Contour Homes said: “The project has helped to support activities between groups who would not usually meet or communicate. Both the adults and younger people have found that, despite living in different areas, they both suffer from similar problems and that has helped them to build bridges and be more open-minded about other cultures.”

Contour Homes and First Choice Homes beat off stiff competition from other local authorities, public sector organisations and private companies around the UK to win their award which was presented by Ted Cantle CBE who chairs the Community Cohesion Institute.

Quote from Sayful Alam, Equalities and Community Cohesion Officer for First Choice Homes Oldham said: “Without our involvement and participation these two groups would not have come together now they met and undertaken discussions about each others culture we have seen nothing but positive results in community cohesion. Project of this nature brings communities together and through partnership work is bringing respect from all.”

And the Limeside and Clarkwell Linking Project certainly doesn’t end here. Both Contour and First Choice Homes have helped the groups to apply for additional funding for future activities within the area and have already begun organising a football project for youngsters on both estates