Mixenden Community Link brings together asylum seekers, economic migrants and local residents of a large former council estate on the outskirts of Halifax, creating an increased sense of social cohesion and community spirit.
Mixenden faces a number of challenges, including a high level of unemployment, few local services and community facilities, and a reputation for intolerance towards ethnic minorities and asylum seekers. As one of the main social landlords in the area, Pennine Housing 2000 wanted to improve the provision of services for asylum seekers living in the area and to challenge widespread negative attitudes towards those seeking to build understanding and a shared sense of community.
Working with the tenants’ associations and community activists, Mixenden Community Link has organised a range of projects that bring the community together, for example a volunteering scheme to improve the neighbourhood, and regular social events. It has also developed tailored services for asylum seekers and economic migrants such as English language courses and a communal flat which serves as a meeting place.
Mixenden Community Link is run on a low budget with funding from the government’s Connecting Communities Plus programme, which provides grants for initiatives that promote race equality and foster strong community relations, as well as Pennine Housing 2000 and Calderdale Council.
Topics associated with this project
Cohesion, Community-led, Housing, Neighbourhood, Yorkshire and Humber