Community Cohesion Competitions

Safer Communities Torbay invited all Torbay Primary and Secondary Schools to take part in a Torbay-wide Community Cohesion Media Project.

Along with The Safer Devon Partnership, they also invited students aged between 16 and 25 studying at a 6th Form, College of Further Education or the University of Exeter and any young person between the ages of 16 and 25 who is a member of a Youth Group to enter a Torbay and Devon-wide Community Cohesion Film Project.

These projects provided opportunities and tools for teachers/students and group leaders to explore issues around prejudice, extremism and active citizenship, and to help them to develop their Community Cohesion strategies.

We do not think Devon and Torbay are intolerant and unwelcoming, rife with prejudice and racism and are confident that the majority of people who live in or visit the county find it a welcoming area with a strong sense of community. However, we are also aware that not everybody shares those positive experiences, that there are some people who regularly experience intolerance and prejudice, who feel isolated and marginalised and find it difficult to join in or to benefit from all the great things that Devon and Torbay have to offer.

We understand how much damage prejudice can do, and we will oppose prejudice of any sort. We want to promote Torbay as an area that is committed to fighting prejudice and has a strong community which is open to everyone.

The intention of these projects was to draw on the expertise, experience and energy of our schools and colleges; to put the young people of Torbay at the forefront of our drive for an inclusive Torbay. Our schools and colleges, after all, are focal points for community cohesion – bringing together children and families from all sorts of different backgrounds to live, learn and work together.

Entries for these projects closed on 28 May 2010. And the following winners have now been informed and we are in the process of arranging an award celebrations.

Competition Winner

Torbay School Excels at Community Cohesion Competition

Poster Project - Primary Schools

From over 30 entries in the Primary School Poster Competition the Winner was Jordan O’Rourke, Year 6 from Torbay School.

View the Media Project page to view all the posters including the winning entry.

Photograph Project - Secondary Schools

The winners of the Secondary School Photograph Competition was Class 9RB from Torbay School. View the winning photograph on the Media Project page.

Film Competition

The winning film from the joint Devon and Torbay Film Competition was Jamie Hignett (16) from Exeter School. View the Winning Film.

Winning entries from the competition will be used as part of a Torbay and county-wide anti-prejudice/extremism media campaign.

Congratulations to all the winners.

For more information email scatt@torbay.gov.uk or contact Mandy Riley on (01803) 841265.