Side by side: Young people in divided communities

David Boyle & Sarah Sandford

September 2004, 60 pages

In many communities across the UK, neighbours live parallel lives set against a backdrop of racism, deep-rooted sectarian attitudes and violence. With poor housing, a lack of work and no strong sense of community, young people can feel disengaged and this can lead to conflict.

NPC's report, Side by side, highlights the work charities are doing to bring communities together. Some charities are providing shared spaces for communities to meet, others are offering opportunities to foster community leadership and resolve conflict.

Did you know?

• More than 20 teenagers were killed by knives or guns in London in 2007.
• 41% of whites and 26% of black and minority ethnic people surveyed by MORI want racial groups to live separately.

The report identifies how charities are effectively tackling divisions and tensions within communities, by:

• providing shared spaces, where arts, sports and leisure activities are commonly used to bridge the gap between different groups
• running training in conflict resolution to give communities the tools to end conflicts non-violently
• working with perpetrators of violence to change their attitudes and behaviour.