Strengthening social cohesion in London’s communities
The Voices for Change initiative is an ongoing, wide-spanning piece of work focused on making real change to the cohesion of our communities.
It grew from concerns after the murderous attack on the Manchester Synagogue and the arson attack on the Peacehaven mosque in 2026, as well as the increase in hatred in our public spaces, streets and social media in recent years.
The initiative centres its advocacy on two core questions: “What do we do well?” and “What needs to Change?” By addressing these questions, Voices for Change seeks to identify existing strengths while driving meaningful structural, systemic, and advocacy-led improvements to support and protect communities.
While things have changed for the better in some respects, the lack of cohesion between communities – evidenced by the attacks mentioned above – proves that more must be done to ensure communities in London thrive together.
Voices for Change is an open and flexible initiative, representing a concerted effort from us and our partners to do all we can to improve cohesion. We continue to hold meetings relating to these ideas, and promote the work of others in this space.
What do we do well?
Faith groups, community organisations and individuals already do so much to improve cohesion in our communities. For example, Inter Faith Week is dedicated to celebrating all faiths. People of different faiths coming together to promote social cohesion is deeply important to our national community.
For many more examples, take a look at the London Communities Emergencies Partnership ‘Social Cohesion Toolbox’.
What needs to change?
Not just what can we do better – but what are the dramatic changes that we need? This is everyone’s responsibility, not just victims, not just faith communities but all of the institutions in our networks and our city. And not just ‘what’ but ‘when’ – and the answer must be ‘Now’. Let us figure the answers out together.
We will help build the move from powerlessness to empowerment by becoming a Voice for Change.
Individuals may feel powerless.
When meeting others in their community they can get support by sharing ideas.
Community groups coming together can capture and build ideas into a strategy.
And when we bring these groups together across the whole of London, we can build a voice for change which is unassailable.
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London Boroughs Faiths Network 