Tamworth’s ‘Honest Conversations’ have brought important issues into focus

Author: Alexandra Fraser
Published: May 29, 2025

Council to work with partner organisations and residents on developing new cohesion and community engagement strategy for borough

Over the last six months the Belong Network has been holding ‘honest conversations’ with some Tamworth residents, community groups and workers with different agencies.

Belong was commissioned to run the Honest Conversations project by Tamworth Borough Council, following the unrest in the town last summer, at the time when riots were also taking place in some other parts of the country.

Here, the council recognised that the disorder was, in part, an expression of issues which some people have felt are ‘difficult’ to talk about, including the effects of migration on small towns, the experiences of people who come to the UK fleeing persecution and war in their home countries, and frustrations about social issues including the cost-of-living crisis.

Belong has worked ‘quietly but systematically’, running interactive focus groups with students at Staffordshire College and in secondary schools; discussion sessions in churches, community centres, and pubs; holding structured meetings with representatives and members of a wide range of organisations; and having conversations with a wide range people from recently arrived asylum seekers to the borough’s MP and families of some of those people who have been imprisoned for crimes committed during the disorder.

In a report to Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet earlier this month, we set out the key themes that came up frequently during the work:

  • Considerations on the rioting and disorder in summer 2024
  • Suggestions about how to respond to racism, prejudice and divisive views
  • Concerns resulting from social and economic change
  • Issues around service delivery and partnership working
  • People’s pride in Tamworth and a widespread sense of potential and commitment to improving the local area

Mike Waite, a Belong Associate, said: “we’d like to thank all the people and organisations who’ve spent time with us so far. We haven’t been able yet to speak to everyone who we want to hear from, but we feel we’ve been able to take broadly representative ‘soundings’ of local peoples’ views, opinions and feelings – and that will help shape our work over the next few months.

“Like many places, Tamworth faces a range of challenges, and many people have strongly held views on ‘difficult’ issues including immigration and change in the community. What’s really encouraging here is that people are saying that it’s time to talk about these issues openly and honestly, to find ways forward on the things that really matter to residents, and to handle relationships between everyone in the borough in a positive way”.

Sarah Daniels, portfolio holder for co-operative council, community partnerships and ASB at Tamworth Borough Council said: “Following last summer’s events, we recognised the need to create safe spaces where everyone could speak openly about the issues affecting our communities.

“What’s clear from the work so far is that our residents care deeply about Tamworth and want to be part of shaping its future. This is exactly what we need – real partnership between the council and our communities.

“We’re now entering a crucial phase where we’ll develop a five-year strategy for improving social cohesion in our borough. I want to stress that this won’t be something created behind closed doors at the council. We’re committed to working hand-in-hand with residents to build this strategy together.

“I encourage everyone to get involved in the upcoming workshops and conversations, to directly influence how we strengthen community relations and address the challenges we face together. By continuing to talk openly and work together, we can create a borough where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.”

During the summer, Belong will be holding further conversations; arranging workshops and reflection sessions to share information from the work to date; and running skill-sharing sessions on having difficult conversations, which are designed to add to peoples’ confidence and preparedness to tackle divisions and build good relations.

These activities will feed into the development of a five-year strategy for the borough, setting out plans to improve social cohesion and community engagement. Local people will have the chance to join an accredited community cohesion training programme, and to take part in community dialogues.

Belong’s work forms just one part of an overall package of work organised by Tamworth Borough Council. A range of local organisations are working on projects including:

  • Setting up the ‘We Are Tamworth’ crowdfunding platform
  • Developing a ‘ Future Leaders’ young person’s project with Landau Forte 6th Form and South Staffordshire college to develop community pride and to give young people the opportunity to see civic organisations in practice and meet large employers through the Midlands Hub
  • Organising the Kaleidoscope of Dreams event with Tamworth Primary Schools, culminating in a festival in the Castle Grounds on Saturday 5 July

For more information on the work of the Belong Network, or to find out how to join in with some of the upcoming conversations and events, email hello@belongnetwork.co.uk