It’s official - folk in Calderdale are most neighbourly!
PEOPLE in Calderdale are kinder and more neighbourly than in other parts of the UK, a study has found.
The research showed that people living in areas that promote social cohesion, such as Calderdale, were more inclusive and showed better neighbourliness than other areas.
The study praised efforts by Calderdale to promote social cohesion in the face of frequent floods and Covid, and that these efforts paid off.
Clr Jenny Lynn, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, said: “Over the years, especially in a crisis, we have seen great kindness and resilience in Calderdale.
“Now, more than ever, it’s important that we all pull together to tackle the issues.
“We’re really pleased to be seeing stronger togetherness, which is a real benefit we can take away from the pandemic and build on in the future.”
The research carried out by Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network and the University of Kent examined communities that had prioritised social cohesion,
Calderdale.
It found that even in the face of the pandemic, people in these areas were far more socially engaged and willing to help out.
The study found that people in Calderdale were 140 per cent more likely to have volunteered during the pandemic than the UK average, and 41pc were more likely to donate money to charity.
The report said: “We have strengthened some of the ties that bind us, with neighbours and communities reaching out with acts of kindness and generosity to protect and support those who are the most vulnerable.”
People in these areas were also less likely to believe conspiracy theories regarding the pandemic and were generally more accepting of migrants.
At the start of the pandemic, Calderdale council set up a virtual support hub to look after those in need and make it easier for people to volunteer to help out.
The council said that efforts to boost social cohesion in the area are a priority, including ongoing community engagement, interfaith work, flood support and the Covid champions scheme.
which
included