The network for all those working to build cohesive, connected communities.
About Belong
The network for all those working to build cohesive, connected communities.
About Belong
We’re Belong – the Cohesion and Integration Network. We are the UK’s leading membership organisation on social cohesion, offering academic research, consultancy, training, networking, thought leadership and events for members across sectors in the UK. We exist to connect, support and mobilise all those working to build stronger, more resilient, connected communities.
Our members span local authorities, charities, civil society organisations and businesses – and we’re growing as more people and organisations realise the importance of building social cohesion. It’s the ‘social glue’ that holds us together: creating a feeling of trust, belonging and pride in where we live and enabling communities to remain resilient in times of crisis and change…
To help grow this work across the UK, Belong supports its members through resources, events, training, networking and consultancy.
- Building the evidence base for why social cohesion matters through original research.
- Developing strong leadership and disseminating good practice so people and organisations across sectors and localities can foster trust and good relations
- A collective voice in order to improve practice and influence policy
If you are working to overcome divisions and interested in building stronger more resilient communities – in the workplace, your neighbourhood or between specific communities – we’d love to hear from you.
Our Vision and Mission
The vision of The Belong Network is a more integrated and less divided society.
Our Mission is to:
- Connect people, places and organisations across all sectors and localities in the UK through membership of the Belong Network to disseminate knowledge and best practice on integration.
- Support and develop all those who are delivering cohesion, integration and intercultural work; giving them the resources, skills, inspiration and confidence to lead and champion this vital work.
- With our members raise the profile of this vital work, developing a shared voice, improving practice and influencing policy so that together we can make an integrated society an everyday reality.
Our Values
- Valuing our members who are leading the way on cohesion and integration across the UK. Their experience, knowledge and insight informs and influences the strategic direction of the Belong Network.
- Valuing generous collaboration – no one organisation alone can solve the divisions in UK society. Only by working in partnership with others can we achieve our vision of a more integrated society.
- Valuing evidence-based practice and research and maintaining a focus on ‘what works’. We are open minded and curious, actively encouraging new ideas, learning and innovation in order to transform practice and policy.
- Celebrating the benefits of diversity for a better society. We welcome and respect difference and operate within an Equalities framework and best practice.
- Welcoming courageous and bold conversations about difference underpinned by a commitment to strengthen social bonds, emphasise shared interests and build common ground
- We are professional and trustworthy, open and transparent about our policies and practices.