Music groups are places where people across a community meet and connect – sometimes despite their differences. The first report for the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion (the Commission) proves that these groups have a role in preventing and healing division, but that more needs to be done to make space for music.
There is some very strong language in the report produced for the Commission:
‘Communal life in Britain is under threat … The UK is sitting on a tinderbox of disconnection and division … Forces driving division are intensifying … Unless we address these forces, the very basis of our democracy is at risk.’
Strong, however, is the intention. The Commission came together in the summer of 2024 in response to unrest and riots, which saw mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers targeted, to understand and address the root causes of the unrest. Whether or not you agree with the urgency of the need, there is no doubt that building communities that are connected, safe, and peaceful is always useful work.
Why the Commission was formed
The Commission (not a government initiative) is facilitated by the Together Coalition founded by Brendan Cox, the husband of the murdered Labour MP Jo Cox. Politicians from across party lines are involved including Conservative ex-home secretary Sir Sajid Javid, Labour MP Jon Cruddas, and former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas. They are joined by leaders from across civil society, faith, business, academia, and the media. The intention of the Commission is ‘to develop practical and lasting recommendations that can strengthen connection and rebuild a sense of belonging in communities throughout the UK.’
Making Music’s contribution to the evidence
As their first action in 2024, they commissioned a ‘state of the nation’ report and in April this year Making Music responded to an open call for evidence, as we have a lot to say about how music contributes to cohesive communities.
Our 4,000 members are groups built by and for their communities, who create environments where people come together across generations, religions, cultures, politics and classes, united by their love of music. The question was posed ‘When we talk about building thriving community and places, what do we mean by this?’, and we proposed an answer: where people have the resources and facilities to come together to make and listen to music.
Space for connection
The report was published in July and presented as a ‘foundational report that offers a powerful snapshot of connection, division, and community life across the UK.’ If you are reading from the perspective of a member of a music group, much of the evidence they have collected won’t surprise you.
When people were asked where they were most likely to meet and interact with people from a different background, 25% answered ‘through a shared hobby e.g. sport or the arts’ – third top answer after ‘in my neighbourhood’ and ‘in my workplace’. Creative places are places to mix and to welcome new arrivals:
‘I find the activities in the area really helpful. There are lots of things on and some are free. I’ve attended sessions like crafts workshops at the local library … ’ – Gateshead focus group participant, reflecting on activities that had helped her settle in since moving to the UK.
When asked what changes people would like to see in their local area to improve social mixing and community strength, the top answer was ‘improving shared spaces for people in communities to come together’ (31%). Second was 'creating more local opportunities for people to come together around taking part in the creative arts, or through coming to arts events’ (18%).
“If you start with [places that bring people together] it actually then addresses differences in faith and race, and gaps between rich and poor become less obvious because people are all actually working together for common good.” – Gateshead focus group participant.
This throws up a challenge for local authorities and government: how to protect spaces that are clearly vital for community activities (like music making) that build community cohesion?
Volunteering in decline, protecting infrastructure
Another essential resource are the volunteers that run the groups, and here the report highlights another challenge: there has been a decline in formal volunteering in recent years, with 16% of people offering their time to formally constituted organisations in 2023-24, compared with 35% in 2013-14.
The report is full of consideration of what direct action to take to combat unrest and division between factions of communities. Clearly this is urgent, as this summer’s damaging protests and violence across England and Northern Ireland in response to immigration policies have proved. However, there is also recognition that fixing and building community infrastructure – the spaces, volunteers, public transport, parks and bandstands that all our members need to operate – is also vital to the project.
It’s noted that there are more assets in wealthier areas, and those in deprived areas are more likely to be neglected or vandalised. Funding cuts to local authorities are blamed, leading to some selling off buildings and green spaces vital for community activities.
The #MakeSpaceForMusic campaign
Making Music recognises how vital spaces (for example, rehearsal spaces) are to music in communities and has created the #MakeSpaceForMusic campaign in response to threats. We welcome recognition of the role of spaces – and the community activities that takes place there – as fundamental to community cohesion.
What's next?
The report, however, is just the starting point for the next phase of the Commission’s work. Soon the Commission will launch ‘a UK-wide national conversation – inviting people from every part of the country to share their experiences of connection, trust and belonging.’
We hope this will be an opportunity for leisure-time music groups and their members to show why their groups are so important, and why local authorities and government should work to protect the resources they need.
Making Music will keep you updated on this.
Read the report.
Find out more about the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion and sign up for updates on their work.
Get involved in our #MakeSpaceForMusic campaign.
