Peripherality and Community Cohesion in Predominantly White, Low-Income Coastal Communities

Abstract

1.1. The context in which this response is embedded is that of predominantly white, low-income coastal communities, offering a nuanced perspective of a section of the English population. Within this framing, we present these communities as being ‘peripherical’ in feeling physically and symbolically distant from English institutions. The four dimensions which shape the lived experience of peripherality, which, we argue, serves as a barrier to community cohesion, are persistent structural inequalities, a deep collective history (which includes a strong sense of ethnocentricity), a strong collective identity and perceived political peripherality.

1.2. Our evidence presents the primary barriers and threats to community cohesion in a coastal community context through the lens of community perceptions. Communities feel unheard and marginalised, live in persistent fear of violence and threat, and are hyper-vigilant to stigmatisation by others. These perceptions create conditions that precipitate antipathy towards others, particularly in our context, towards the refugee and migrant community.

1.3. Social media is perceived as an accessible and reliable means of gaining information, as opposed to mainstream news outlets, which many predominantly white, low-income coastal communities do not trust. Our evidence demonstrates how this can impact community cohesion through the legitimisation and perpetuation of false narratives based on anti-immigrant beliefs. Young people we have spoken to describe how they access this narrative via their families and social media and how these result in expressions of prejudice and discrimination towards their peers in school.

1.4. Developing vehicles that enable authentic community power in predominantly white, low-income coastal communities can foster a stronger sense of community cohesion. Local authorities can do this by co-creating accessible and equal spaces that facilitate dialogue and embracing a culture based on the values of respect and equality, accountability and transparency, and commitment to the community.

1.5. Moreover, a new community-led understanding of the concept could help to ensure that consistent and meaningful approaches are developed to improve community cohesion. A new cross governement conceptualisation of community cohesions must view community cohesion through an intersectional lens with an appreciation of marginalisation that diverse groups experience.