Community Cohesion Project

The Community Cohesion Project is all about bringing people in Sunderland closer together. Led by The Cultural Spring and the Community Cohesion Steering Group, the project will use storytelling and creativity to help communities share experiences, celebrate what makes us unique, and build stronger connections through events and activities shaped by local people.

About the Project

The Community Cohesion Project has been set up by The Cultural Spring and the Community Cohesion Steering Group to bring people in Sunderland closer together. It comes in response to the public disorder that took place in summer 2024, which left some of our neighbourhoods feeling unsettled and divided.

This project is about repairing those fractures, building understanding, and celebrating the strength and diversity of our communities. Together with local groups and organisations, we’ll explore the theme of storytelling – giving people the chance to share their own experiences, listen to others, and discover the things that connect us.

Everything will be done through co-creation, which means that the ideas, stories and creativity of local residents will shape what happens. The project will lead to a series of creative events and activities designed to bring people together, spark conversations, and highlight the pride and resilience that runs through Sunderland.

Above all, we want this project to create safe, welcoming spaces where everyone feels listened to, valued and inspired – helping us to grow stronger as a community, side by side

What do we mean by Community Cohesion?

When we talk about community cohesion, we mean helping people from all walks of life feel part of something bigger – a community where everyone feels welcome, valued, and safe.

It’s about building strong relationships, finding the things we share, and respecting the things that make us different. It means tackling unfairness and prejudice, and making sure everyone has the chance to be heard and to take part in community life.

At its heart, community cohesion is about trust, kindness, and looking out for one another. When these values are in place, communities can grow stronger together and thrive.

The wider Community Cohesion project

The Community Cohesion Project brings together a range of creative activities, all designed to strengthen connections and celebrate Sunderland’s diverse communities. To make sure the project reflects local voices, The Cultural Spring has brought together a Community Cohesion Steering Group made up of community members and organisations. This group helps guide decisions across the whole programme, including choosing the artists we work with.

The project includes:

  • A large-scale commission – engaging artist/s with a wide range of communities and organisations to explore how storytelling can both celebrate and challenge local people, fostering the creation of stronger communities.

  • Up to 10 creative micro-commissions – local groups and organisations will work with an artist to explore an idea, challenge, or question that helps build stronger community connections.

  • Go & See visits – opportunities for people from different backgrounds to come together and experience creative and cultural events both in Sunderland and further afield.

  • A final celebration event – bringing everyone together to share artwork, celebrate achievements, and enjoy a meal as one community. The shape of this event will grow and evolve as the projects develop, guided by the Steering Group.

This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the Community Recovery Fund.