Cyflwynwyd yr ymateb hwn i'r Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol ar gyfer yr ymchwiliad i Gydlyniant Cymdeithasol

This response was submitted to the Equality and Social justice Committee on the inquiry into Social Cohesion

SC 23
Ymateb gan: Cydlynydd Cydlyniant Cymunedol Canolbarth a De-orllewin Cymru, Cyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin
Response from: Mid and South West Wales Community Cohesion Coordinator, Carmarthen Council
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Key Issues Impacting Social Cohesion in Mid and South West Wales

· Rural Isolation & Service Accessibility

Many communities face challenges in accessing services, which can lead to social exclusion, particularly for ethnic minority communities, LGBQT+ communities, asylum seekers, and older people.

· Community Tensions & Misinformation

The rise of misinformation, particularly online, has contributed to negative narratives around migration LGBTQ+ issues, increasing community tensions.

· Hate Crime & Discrimination

Reports of hate crime remain a concern, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, and asylum seekers. The team works closely with police and third-sector partners to raise awareness of how to report.

· Housing & Accommodation for Asylum Seekers: The dispersal of asylum seekers to rural areas, where infrastructure and support networks are limited, presents integration challenges.

Best Practices & Interventions Supporting Social Cohesion

· Tension Monitoring

Weekly local multi agency monitoring of tensions on a local authority level.

· Online Challenges and Awareness

The team actively works on developing critical thinking skills through awareness raising of online hate and particularly around LGBTQ+ issues, asylum seekers and refugees, through public engagement, training and social media.

· Hate Crime Awareness & Reporting

Collaboration with police, Local Authorities, schools, and community groups has helped increase awareness and reporting of hate crimes.

· Community Engagement Events

Initiatives which bring diverse communities together to foster understanding (via Small Grant funding).

· Training

facilitating training for a variety of audiences. Eg Cohesion in Our Communities, providing information about successful projects; Power of Language – how the words we use can be harmful

· Awareness of key campaigns and initiatives

Holocaust Memorial Day, LGBT History Month, Refugee Week, Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month, Hate Crime Awareness Week etc.

· Policy

Embedding Community Cohesion within Policy and practice across Local Authorities

Welsh Government Support & Areas for Improvement

· Funding & Sustainability

The community cohesion programme can be vulnerable to short term funding (until 2023, funding was annual, the current round of funds has been for 3 years). Any less than this makes it difficult to maintain long-term impact. Greater funding stability is needed.

· Support for Rural Areas

Most funding and resources/services tend to focus on urban areas, whereas rural communities need tailored support to address unique challenges.

· Stronger UK Government Collaboration

Issues such as online hate, immigration policy, and policing fall under UK Government powers. More collaboration is needed to address these challenges at a national level.

· Capacity Building for Community Groups

Many grassroots organisations lack resources to apply for funding or expand their work. Training and simplified funding processes could help.