What you've said

You believe Wandsworth is a cohesive community where people from different backgrounds get on well together. More than half of you think disrespect and lack of consideration is not a problem locally. Because residents feel that local communities are well connected, they also feel that race relations are low down the list of priorities for improvement.  

Although residents feel the council could do more to involve them in decision making locally, Wandsworth residents feel more engaged than Londoners in general. But a growing, increasingly mobile population and anti-social behaviour could erode community spirit and respect.

We also need to tackle a loss of confidence of, and interest in, local democracy and institutions.

What we'll do

• Increase the number of people volunteering and provide more support for the voluntary sector
• Bring together people of different backgrounds to promote understanding
• Set up borough-wide youth forums and help young people make a positive contribution
• Target support at disadvantaged residents
• Work with the police and community to tackle potential community relations problems before they arise
• Take firm action against anti-social behaviour on estates, including creating a database of dogs
• Get local people more involved in planning services and setting policy
• Narrow the gap in education and employment for under-achieving groups

How we're doing it

Faith Direct is a unique speed dating-type event in which youngsters are able to fire a series of quick-fire questions at representatives from the borough's different faith groups.

The annual event is organised by the council and the Wandsworth Local Strategic Partnership multifaith sub-group. The 2008 event saw speakers from local Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Baha'i, Humanist and Buddhist communities talking to 70 students from eight secondary schools.

How to find out more

To find out more about community cohesion in Wandsworth download our Profile of Wandsworth.