Community Cohesion Research for Oldham Rochdale HMR Pathfinder

arc4's research into community cohesion and New Build Developments was published on 15th April 2010, the text of the press release from Oldham Rochdale Pathfinder is set out below:

MAKE COHESION PROGRAMMES STANDARD FOR NEW BUILD RESIDENTS, SAYS HMR PATHFINDER

Simple, low cost activities to build relationships amongst residents should be adopted as standard practice by social landlords and managing agents in all new housing developments, Oldham Rochdale HMR says today.

The housing market renewal pathfinder, which recently completed groundbreaking community cohesion research, says social landlords and regeneration professionals cannot simply focus their cohesion efforts on known issues in established communities.

Oldham Rochdale HMR director Alastair Graham said: “The key to successful, sustainable developments is not just to do with the buildings. It is vital that residents, existing and new, feel comfortable and confident in their neighbourhoods

“It’s not a case of lavishing fortunes on sophisticated projects. The research clearly shows that, in most instances, it’s a matter of developing activities that match people’s interests and creating low cost opportunities for them to get together.

“Get the balance right and, the study shows, you can make a real difference to relationships in new developments and help speed the process of creating strong and sustainable communities.”

Housing and regeneration consultancy, arc⁴, carried out the research on behalf of the Pathfinder. It was part of a major Cohesion Counts study in the Oldham Rochdale HMR area, which showed that events like toddler walks or gym promotions were more successful in bringing new residents together than expensive special events like fun days.

The same study also showed that new residents were more likely to get involved in an initiative where they were able to choose when they attended.

The Pathfinder is now developing plans to implement cohesion projects for all its new build developments. ""

· Our research on cohesion and new build communities focused on three new build developments across the two areas: a development with residents from a single ethnic group; a second scheme located within socially rented estate but marketed as something quite separate to it and the third, an apartment which, owing to the credit crunch, ended up as a 100% socially rented scheme instead of mixed tenure.

Key findings from the research show:

Simple low cost activities can play a major role in building relationships between new residents.
Informal activities where people get together to do something are more effective than community or resident association meetings at getting people to know one another.
A range of activities is more likely to engage a wider range of people.
A series of activities which allow people to engage in their own time are more effective than one off events.
It is useful to map out local facilities. Where possible, shared inductions and free sessions at facilities can be a good way of getting people to meet one another.
Providing welcome packs at new build developments describing the wider area and listing useful information including existing groups and facilities is worthwhile.
If the area has any community development resources, locally based officers are likely to have a network of people who could be effectively engaged.

Full details of the research are available at http://www.cohesioncounts.co.uk:80/the-projects-we-commissioned/getting-residents-in-new-build-to-mix/

The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder aims to tackle some of the deep-rooted problems that face communities in Oldham and Rochdale. Our vision is to transform neighbourhoods to improve people’s lives. The Pathfinder has been awarded £90 million for the period 2008-2011 to drive forward the transformation of nine neighbourhoods across the boroughs and to contribute to reviving the local economies and enhancing both boroughs as places to live and work.

For more information about arc⁴ research into community cohesion and othe areas, contact Helen Brzozowski