Brabners and Belong - The Cohesion and Integration Network Join Forces to Tackle Social Cohesion
We have become a founding member of Belong - The Cohesion and Integration Network based in Manchester.
We will sit on Belong’s advisory panel and work with the charity and its other founding members to help communities in Greater Manchester, the North West and beyond become more integrated.
Belong will provide us with access to research, measurement and evaluation tools to help us continue to improve its own inclusivity. The charity also offers support to its network in raising and discussing issues around cohesion and integration in the workplace.
Managing Partner Nik White, who champions our equality, diversity and inclusion agenda and is personally involved in the work of its social mobility affinity group, will represent the firm on Belong’s advisory panel, together with Leanne Instrall, an Associate in the family team, who also heads up our social mobility affinity group .
Nik said: “Continuously improving diversity and social mobility in our business is a fundamental focus for us. But this work cannot be purely introspective and joining Belong’s network will enable us to make a difference in the communities in which our firm operates.
“The charity’s aims to improve community cohesion align perfectly with our own values and objectives. I firmly believe that being a for-profit business doesn’t preclude us from having a social purpose and partnering with Belong is one of the ways we plan to demonstrate that.”
Jo Broadwood, Belong CEO, said: "We are delighted to have Brabners join as a founder member. Businesses, particularly those that are rooted in their local area, have a vital role to play in strengthening social cohesion.
“A workplace culture that fosters and celebrates diversity, and encourages openness and empathy towards others, can have a hugely positive impact on social relations locally. We look forward to working with the team at Brabners to take this agenda forward.”
Belong’s network consists of more than 100 members ranging from local authorities and businesses to grassroots community groups. Other founding members, alongside Brabners, include Manchester City Council, jewellers Beaverbrooks, Humanists UK, Savannah Wisdom Foundation and sports charities Street Games, Youth Sport Trust and Sporting Equals.