Jo Broadwood, CEO of Belong, the cohesion and integration network discusses how charities can play a role in strengthening communities where they work.
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Those working for charities and voluntary organisations today know how hard it can be to recruit volunteers: the cost-of-living crisis means many people are working multiple jobs or have caring responsibilities which leave no time for unpaid work. Advertising volunteer opportunities can also be expensive. It means many new volunteers come through word of mouth – and although a welcome boost to volunteer numbers, it can risk building a volunteer base homogenous in age, ability, religion or economic status.

Reaching communities who face greater barriers to volunteering and ensuring diverse voices are heard has enormous value to the voluntary sector. But doing this helps the communities they serve too. How? Put simply, at Belong – the Cohesion and Integration Network, we know that volunteering increases the social cohesion of an area. And when there is greater social cohesion in a community, people there are more likely to volunteer. It’s a virtuous circle that’s a win-win for the charity and the communities where they work.

Beyond ‘us’ and ‘them’

Social cohesion happens when people from different backgrounds meet, mix and get along. It's about developing neighbourhoods, workplaces, institutions and social spaces where difference is welcomed and celebrated, about creating places where empathy and curiosity about people ‘not like me’ are encouraged. When this happens we can move beyond narratives of ‘us’ and ‘them’ towards ideas of kindness, trust and social cohesion between groups.

Another way of thinking about cohesion is as the ‘social glue’ in the places where we live, work and socialise. It means we get on with and trust our neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances. Often we only notice this ‘glue’ when it is gone – when it’s there we feel safe and connected with a sense of belonging.

At the Belong Network we are convinced that volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to build social cohesion in a community.

When volunteering offers opportunities to meet those from different backgrounds, misconceptions and stereotypes are challenged and greater tolerance and understanding are built.

Volunteers can carry this change out into their families and communities, creating a ‘ripple effect’. Research carried out by the Belong Network during the Covid 19 pandemic showed people who volunteered felt better connected to their community and had greater trust in their neighbours.

Now, working with 30 of the UK’s largest charities – including St John Ambulance, RSPCA, Girl Guiding and Barnardos - who make up the Shaping the Future coalition, we’ve launched The Power of Connection toolkit. This free online resource allows any voluntary organisation to create a plan for improving social cohesion specifically tailored to their organisation’s purpose, volunteering opportunities and location.

The toolkit particularly seeks to help voluntary organisations connect with groups and communities who face the most barriers to inclusion including those who experience socio-economic deprivation and Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups.
With this knowledge, voluntary organisations can extend their reach, listening to more diverse voices and challenging dominant perspectives.

This creates a double ‘win’ - widening the opportunities to volunteer and widening the opportunities for people to form relationships that challenge stereotypes and misinformation. And both of these have huge benefits for the communities involved.

To find out more or to try the Power of Connection toolkit, go to Home - Belong Toolkit (belongnetwork.co.uk).

The Belong Network are also running free workshops for voluntary organisations to get started with the toolkit with the next one taking place on Thursday 7 September. Sign up for your free place here: The Power of Connection through Volunteering toolkit workshop Tickets, Thu 7 Sep 2023 at 10:30 | Eventbrite


Bespoke training workshops for individual organisations are also available.

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