Tabletop one: Exploring Belonging and what Salford means to you

Belonging key elements and themes:

• Safety – this included basics like feeling safe, secure and valued but also broader elements like the ability to travel freely and the ability to live where they want to linking to the issues faced by many refugees and asylum seekers within the system.
• Control fell into three elements:
  • Personal responsibility and having a voice and influence over things that matter to you
  • Knowing Systems – Being able to navigate systems both societal as well as public sector
  • Community Activism – Being part of a movement or campaigns, having choices and opportunities.
• Connections – as the name implied was a about feeling you “fitted in”. It was about community, friendships, being part of something and just not feeling alone.
• Feelings – Belonging was described by one group as “visceral feeling in the gut” and this was a great synopsis. This theme has words like pride, warmth, passion, hope and purpose
• Place, History and Culture – this theme was about the importance of your roots, learning other peoples stories and not forgetting the jigsaw that makes up someone’s identity

Salford / being Salfordian had some strong themes:

• “Salford is an attitude” – The concept that it is built on an attitude and approach rather than just being a place. From comments about its rough and ready nature through to its pride and principles. As well civic pride in its role as a home, centre of the universe and definitely not Manchester!
• History and Culture – This covered both acknowledgement of the past but also Salford’s strong background in activism whether feminism, co-operative movements or simply standing up for what is right.
• People and Communities – this section reflect the diversity in our communities and the melting pot of people that make up Salford. But also about community pride with comments about people working together, mutual aid and how communities came together during covid.
• Its Assets and Landmarks – Simply put the things that help make Salford great. Whether tangible buildings like the Lowry, RHS, The Quays or its green spaces through to the cities job market and vibrant volunteering

Tabletop two: Taking practical action together

Key themes that emerged:

• Approaches and Principles – Ultimately this theme is less about the “what” but more about the “how”. This theme was very much relating to the importance of listening, co-production, speaking to communities, going the extra mile, being person centred, keeping it simple, partnership working. Not to mention the strong message of “putting a human face to every issue”
• Education – was a strong theme throughout the discussions. Sub themes included –
  • Influencing Young People – this included both through the curriculum or school talks as well as potential other programmes outside of schools.
  • Safe Spaces for Difficult Conversations – Making it ok to ask difficult questions or those things you’ve always wanted to know as well as things like myth busting.
  • Making it a whole city wide conversation – This might link into some of the campaigning elements but one suggestion was having discussions at bus stops?
  • Sharing Stories – potentially influenced by the speakers there was a lot of importance played on the opportunity to share stories. Things like human libraries were raised but also alternative creative methods like street art and murals.
  • Underpinning Enablers – The importance of understanding and tackling digital inclusion both to enable people to find and access services, information and resources but also critical thinking elements such as online safety and spotting “fake news”.
• Campaigns – This was a complex theme and could ultimately be broken down into three sub elements:
  • Supporting more national campaigns and issues both in terms of awareness raising and solidarity campaigning. Specific things mentioned included challenging hostile environment policy and media coverage.
  • Developing something home grown -  There was a lot of support to “Just do it” and create something home grown and Salford – either a shared position statement or something more public facing for groups / beneficiaries “Solidarity in Salford”. It is probably something worth exploring further as there wasn’t a specific clear action but a lot of support for the concept
  • Mobilising Communities to support each other – The final theme was again not that specific but echoed the importance of building on mutual aid / ground level conversations etc. Bottom up approaches rather than top down.
• Supporting / Hosting Events- Events were mentioned multiple times – both as a way of celebrating communities as well as a way to build social connections. Examples included “meet your neighbours”, street parties and social eating programmes. CVS already support and promote nationally programmes such as the The Great Get Together and funded other types of events through its grants programme – the question is what more can be done collectively to support this type of activity? (And also evidencing they do more than provide an enjoyable one off time)?
• Supporting the VCSE Economy – either purchasing or skill swapping- This was not raised as an item in its own right but rather through to other requests –
  •  Directories – were mentioned generically without a specific reason except a request to explore a director of caterer and community food groups that could provide culturally appropriate food.
  • Language / Interpretation – This was raised both in terms of communication (alternative languages) but also supporting interpretation needs (including BSL). No specific solutions were suggested. Is there a way we can support the VCSE economy or skill swaps in this area? This may partially link into the work of the ESOL network for some aspects.
  • The role of networks – This was mentioned through generic comments such as “more networking” through to very specific examples such as ones for local areas in the city or the role of an Interfaith network which was mentioned several times as a suggestion and may have a role / need.