Walsall for All celebrates six years with launch of ten-year community cohesion strategy
A partnership of different voluntary, community and statutory sectors marked six years of fostering community cohesion with a celebration event at The Walsall Hub.
Walsall for All’s celebration event on 26 February 2025 highlighted the partnership's journey and its transition into an independent community interest company (CIC).
The celebration featured the launch of the Walsall Community Cohesion Strategy 2025-2035, which is aimed at creating a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous community.
Developed between Walsall Council and Walsall for All, the strategy represents a significant milestone in Walsall for All's ongoing efforts for Walsall to be a friendly and diverse borough. The strategy envisions a Walsall where all residents feel safe, included and empowered to contribute to their communities, regardless of their background.
Councillor Garry Perry, Leader of Walsall Council said, “Walsall is home to remarkable individuals and groups who dedicate their time and energy to bring communities together. We all share a responsibility to build and shape a borough where every person feels safe, supported and part of a strong community.
“The Community Cohesion Strategy builds on the success of previous work, breaking down barriers to make our borough welcoming for everyone. I have every confidence that this strategy will continue to inspire selflessness and kindness as well as leadership and collective action.”
Walsall for All delivered projects across the borough focusing on four key areas: Connecting Across Communities, Young People Learning and Growing Together, Working and Contributing Together and Living Together. One of the projects delivered was a Women’s Empowerment Programme, helping women to boost their confidence and improve their opportunities to access employment, education and training.
With the ten-year strategy building on existing work and through engagement with residents and community organisations, a number of themes have emerged including cost of living, isolation and loneliness, mental health, gender inequality and cultural understanding between new and existing communities.
A detailed plan outlines actions to support children and young people, promote health and wellbeing, improve gender equality and enhance cultural awareness.
A’isha Khan, Chair of Walsall for All said, “Walsall for All has been instrumental in building community cohesion since it began in 2019. We have made so much progress and there is more to do as we begin delivering on the ten-year strategy. It will ensure all residents feel supported and valued to actively participate and benefit from life-enhancing opportunities. As chair of the partnership, I have the privilege of working with inspiring colleagues from all sectors and backgrounds, committed to developing and delivering services for Walsall residents and I look forward to what the next few years bring for all of us.”
As well as the launch, attendees heard from several speakers about advancing community cohesion and inclusion locally and the West Midlands region’s priorities for inclusive communities and the Race Equalities Taskforce. Attendees were also inspired with an empowerment speech and a traditional Romanian dance.
Notes to editor:
Walsall for All is a partnership of different organisations from voluntary, community and statutory sectors that was formed in 2018 to work on enhancing and strengthening social cohesion and integration.
Walsall was one of five Integrated Areas that helped the government implement the Integrated Area Programme as part of the government’s Integrated Communities Strategy.
More than 15,000 residents from Walsall participated and benefited from the programme and positive outcomes were evaluated and compared with key national research studies in the field of social cohesion.
Walsall’s work on social cohesion before the pandemic helped to build trust and deal with the impact of COVID-19 in different communities compared to other areas. The research also showed that there’s a positive connection between promoting diverse volunteering and creating a more cohesive society. For more details, you can view the evaluation report and celebration video: https://www.walsallforall.co.uk/evaluation
Press release and image courtesy of Walsall Council.
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